PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD related to his period of active duty and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 13, 2000 for a 100% evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder. The earliest possible effective date is based on a VA outpatient treatment report dated on that day.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 6, 2000, for his TDIU due to service-connected PTSD and bilateral pes planus. The evidence did not show that he was unemployable prior to January 6, 2000.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a skin disability, including chloracne, both on the basis of direct evidence and as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran's service records did not show any complaints or findings related to these conditions during his active duty.

The Board found that the effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD should not be earlier than February 29, 1996 due to lack of factual ascertainability of an increase in disability prior to this date.

The veteran's low back disorder is rated at 40 percent, and his PTSD is now rated at 50 percent. The combined effect of these conditions makes the veteran unable to work, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative right knee injury is not related to his military service, and his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was first shown years after service and is not linked to any incident of service. The claims for increased evaluation and TDIU are also pending.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD, effective April 30, 2002, based on occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD symptoms, including occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, more nearly approximated the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating. The veteran was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence supports a link between his military service and current mental health issues.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's experiences in Vietnam provided sufficient evidence to support his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's eligibility for direct payment of attorney's fees by VA due to a contract that does not call for payment from past-due benefits.

The Board found that the veteran did not have PTSD as a result of active military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran needs to provide new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD. The RO will assist in obtaining any necessary medical records and information from the veteran to support his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that an in-service stressor event occurred.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and there is no record of treatment for such a disorder at any time after service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed combat-related stressors during his tour of duty in Vietnam.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms approximate total occupational and social impairment. Service connection for dizziness was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or due to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.