PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, requires additional development due to incomplete evidence and need for clarification of the VA examiner's opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a finding that he experienced an in-service stressor and has PTSD due to it.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 16, 2005, based on symptoms including depressed mood, sleep impairment, blunted affect, isolative behavior, low self-esteem, hypervigilance, irritability, mood swings, nervousness, low energy, and rare panic attacks.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, and mood without total occupational and social impairment. The schedular criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD have been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and additional development is required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evaluations and records, including a VA audiological evaluation for hearing loss and PTSD examination. The RO/AMC will also obtain any outstanding VA treatment records from January 2009 to the present.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to assess his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, anxiety, and major depression, is as likely as not due to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied, and the issue of what evaluation is warranted for PTSD from April 23, 2004, remains unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his low back, left knee, and left shoulder conditions, prevent him from continuing in his position as a machinist due to their severe effects on his ability to work. The Board finds that the cumulative effect of these disabilities makes it impossible for the Veteran to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims for increased disability rating and TDIU can be decided. This includes obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of PTSD, as well as requesting a complete employment history from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to changes in VA regulations regarding service connection for PTSD, as well as the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for both the issue of service connection for fibromyalgia and the issue of an increased evaluation for PTSD. As a result, the appeal is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder is related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum schedular percentage standards for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, as his combined rating is only 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD is dismissed as he wishes to withdraw his appeal. The effective date of service connection for right hip strain secondary to shell fragment wound of left thigh is set at August 7, 1991.

Prior to June 14, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD caused reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as intrusive recollections, emotional numbing, detachment, hyperarousal, sleep disturbances, difficulties with concentration and memory, infrequent panic attacks, depressed mood, passive suicidal ideation, and feelings of guilt and worthlessness.,From June 14, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD caused deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as depression, inability to play with his children, sleep disturbances, constant suicidal ideation, memory impairment causing an inability to complete massage schooling, recurrent intrusive recollections, avoidance, detachment, estrangement, restricted range of affect, anger, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, and nightmares.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is etiologically related to his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.