PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of stressors and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, and chronic sleep impairment. The Board finds that a disability evaluation of 30 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, but not by total occupational and social impairment. The schedular criteria for a 70 percent rating have been met.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 30 percent since November 9, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent prior to November 25, 2009 and at 50 percent since that date. The decision is mixed as it addresses both the initial rating claim and a subsequent increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to his military service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the appellant is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim will be reviewed again after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100 percent, the highest schedular rating available, due to total occupational and nearly total social impairment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the PTSD did not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, the hemorrhoids warranted no compensable evaluation, the heart condition was not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, hypertension was also not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and emphysema with COPD was not related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and dysthymia, is found to be incurred in or aggravated by active service due to a personal assault during training.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his disability picture is not so unusual or exceptional as to render his 50 percent rating inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, social isolation, depression and hyperarousal. The VA determined that these symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for PTSD due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and service participation. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to provide specific information about his alleged incidents, and if verified, he will undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine whether he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations and providing VCAA notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection, but the initial rating assigned is 50 percent. The claim for a chronic back disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since June 23, 2004. The evidence shows significant impairment in work and social functioning.