PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2004

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and GERD due to exposure to Agent Orange, but denied service connection for sinusitis as there is no evidence of such condition during the period of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his post-traumatic stress disorder, lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, and cervical strain with degenerative changes. The RO granted a 40 percent evaluation for residuals of lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes effective August 7, 2001, and a 30 percent evaluation for residuals of cervical strain with degenerative changes as of that date.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at March 20, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran's credible accounts of in-service stressors have been sufficiently corroborated by the evidence of record, and concluded that PTSD was incurred in and as a result of active military service.

The Board has recognized one of the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and found it verified. The claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, but further examination is needed to determine if the veteran meets the DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, which is characterized by total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 14, 1989 for a 100% disability rating for PTSD. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and that the veteran did not engage in combat.

The Board found in favor of the veteran, finding that his psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and substance abuse, was incurred during service. The decision also noted that new evidence had reopened a previously denied claim for low back disability.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of PTSD was granted, and he is now receiving a 100 percent rating effective from May 9, 1995.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran does not currently have PTSD related to his active service.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied her claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD has been received. The veteran's claim is now addressed de novo.

The veteran's death was due to hypertensive arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. At the time of his death, he had service-connected disabilities rated at 90 percent combined evaluation. The Board found that DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were not met as the veteran did not meet the criteria for a 100% total rating due to service-connected disability continuously for ten years prior to death or five years from discharge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 50 percent since March 13, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, effective from April 1, 1992.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for additional action due to a significant change in the law under VCAA.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's PTSD stems from exposure to combat stressors in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied his request for a higher rating. The veteran also requested a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected condition, but this was not granted.