PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has not rendered him totally unemployable, and his claim for TDIU benefits is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has worsened since the last examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine its current severity. The RO must also obtain all relevant medical records from Vet Center, Dr. H., and Beckley VAMC.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the TDIU claim has been granted. The higher rating for PTSD was granted in January 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his PTSD claims, including obtaining VA and Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA psychiatric examination to evaluate the current severity of his PTSD and consideration of whether he is unemployable due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a hearing before the Board at the RO. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 31, 2005. The Board has granted a higher rating of 100 percent for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder has been reopened due to new evidence, but the Board is unable to determine if the PTSD is service-connected as it does not have enough information from the provided records.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and a thorough review of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in his current 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal was resolved in part, with the issue of service connection for hypertensive vascular disease denied. The rating for hemorrhoids prior to December 31, 2007 and the issue of a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to June 13, 2008 were not granted. A total disability rating for PTSD was granted from June 13, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by chronic sleep impairment, depression, irritability, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and disturbances of motivation and mood. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 17, 2007. The rating will remain at 50 percent until further notice.

The Veteran's PTSD primarily results in nightmares, flashbacks, difficulties sleeping, anxiety, extreme irritability and anger, depression, social isolation with a strong preference to be alone, an exaggerated startle response, chronic panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, and some problems concentrating. This results in severe but not total social and occupational impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and consider all evidence received since the last statement of the case.

Prior to October 2, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,After October 2, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a mood disorder as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's diagnoses of PTSD and mood disorder are supported by medical evidence, with the stressor related to his service in Vietnam being verified.