BVA9505160 
DOCKET NO.  92-08 695     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the decision of the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in
Louisville, Kentucky

THE ISSUE

Entitlement to an increased evaluation for post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), currently rated as 50 percent disabling.

REPRESENTATION

Appellant represented by: Kentucky Division of Veterans
Affairs

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

W. H. Wetmore, Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty from July 1966 to May 1968.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) received this case on
appeal from an August 1991 RO rating decision which granted the
veteran service connection for his PTSD and assigned a 10 percent
evaluation.  Subsequent to the Board's November 1992 remand, the
RO increased that to a 50 percent evaluation.

CONTENTIONS OF APPELLANT ON APPEAL

The veteran contends that he has been unable to work due to his
PTSD and that he had that limitation before he had problems due
to his cerebrovascular accidents.

DECISION OF THE BOARD

The Board, in accordance with the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A.
§ 7104 (West 1991), has reviewed and considered all of the
evidence and material of record in the veteran's claims file.
Based on its review of the relevant evidence in this matter, and
for the following reasons and bases, it is the decision of the
Board that the preponderance of the evidence supports the
assignment of a schedular 100 percent evaluation for PTSD.

FINDING OF FACT

The veteran's PTSD causes him to be demonstrably unable to obtain
and retain employment, to be virtually isolated in the community
and to exhibit a profound retreat from mature behavior.

CONCLUSION OF LAW

A schedular 100 percent evaluation for the veteran's PTSD is
warranted.  38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1155, 5107, 7104 (West 1991); 38
C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 4.3, 4.132, Diagnostic Code 9411 (1994).

REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION

The Board finds the veteran's claim to be well grounded within
the meaning of 38 U.S.C.A. § 5107 because it is plausible.  See
Murphy v. Derwinski, 1 Vet.App. 78 (1991).  The Board is also
satisfied that all relevant facts have been properly developed
and there is no further assistance required in order to comply
with § 5107.  See Littke v. Derwinski, 1 Vet.App. 90 (1990).

The earliest diagnosis of PTSD reflected by the record was in a
December 1989 psychology examination report from two VA
examiners.  At that time, it was considered mild.

The veteran sustained his fourth lacunar infarct in January 1991
and was treated at a VA medical center from January to March
1991.  His medical history was significant for disabilities which
included status post ruptured aneurysm with craniotomy in 1983.
At discharge, he was felt to be safe and independent.

At VA examinations in May 1991, January 1993, October 1993 and
January 1994, the veteran exhibited a progressive decline in his
mental status.  In the last examination, the examiner obtained
additional findings from the veteran's sister as to the
manifestations of his psychiatric problems prior to January 1991.
The examiner felt that the following was indicative of the
veteran's level of functioning which could be attributable to his
PTSD:

[A] person who lived at 1 (sic) point with
the Salvation Army and sometimes lived in
the street but didnt (sic) require any of
his relatives to help him, in terms of his
activities for daily living, at the time.
He worked off and on as a painter, worked
for people when he wanted to work and earn
his living, but was described then as
irritable, alienated his children and 2
(sic) previous spouses, and was described
as a street person sometimes, and sometimes
functional in terms of his working and
ability to take care of himself.  His
ability to care for himself, during that
time, may be considered marginal, but he
needed no help from his relatives, and he
was living on his own, particularly after
his children and spouses were alienated to
the point that they were apparently scared
of him.

The Board finds that the above information depicts a degree of
impairment not adequately reflected by less than a 100 percent
evaluation.  The examiner assessed the picture as representing
poor functioning with marked impairment in both social and
occupational functioning.  This assessment is consistent with a
determination that the veteran was essentially unemployable and
socially isolated, as well as exhibiting a profound retreat from
mature behavior.  Under these circumstances, a schedular 100
percent evaluation is in order.

ORDER

A schedular 100 percent evaluation for PTSD is granted, subject
to the law governing the assignment of an earlier effective date.

          BARBARA B. COPELAND
          Member, Board of Veterans' Appeals

The Board of Veterans' Appeals Administrative Procedures
Improvement Act, Pub. L. No. 103-271, § 6, 108 Stat. 740, ___
(1994), permits a proceeding instituted before the Board to be
assigned to an individual member of the Board for a
determination.  This proceeding has been assigned to an
individual member of the Board.

NOTICE OF APPELLATE RIGHTS:  Under 38 U.S.C.A. § 7266 (West
1991), a decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals granting less
than the complete benefit, or benefits, sought on appeal is
appealable to the United States Court of Veterans Appeals within
120 days from the date of mailing of notice of the decision,
provided that a Notice of Disagreement concerning an issue which
was before the Board was filed with the agency of original
jurisdiction on or after November 18, 1988.  Veterans' Judicial
Review Act, Pub. L. No. 100-687, § 402 (1988).  The date which
appears on the face of this decision constitutes the date of
mailing and the copy of this decision which you have received is
your notice of the action taken on your appeal by the Board of
Veterans' Appeals.