PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Board found that the termination of the Veteran's TDIU rating was not proper due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination, and thus restored the TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for right ankle disability and service connection for PTSD were both denied by the Board.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are etiologically related to service or herbicide exposure. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor, and his current psychiatric disability is not shown to be related to service. His hypertension and weakness conditions are also not linked to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for PTSD was denied, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including consideration of new regulations regarding PTSD. The Veteran's claims will be adjudicated based on the additional evidence obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an outstanding request for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling this hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that it is presumed to have been caused by the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during active duty in Vietnam. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to October 7, 1999, had not been met, but that the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation from October 7, 1999, had been met.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment as of January 14, 2008. A 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD was granted effective November 23, 2009.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD from October 15, 1975 to April 17, 1997, effective May 1, 1985.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by social isolation, occupational impairment, irritability, anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, sleeplessness, and nightmares. The Board finds that the disability picture most closely approximates a 70 percent rating for service-connected PTSD.

The Board finds that it is as likely as not the Veteran's PTSD is related to her active duty training, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by difficulty sleeping, restricted affect, frequent panic attacks, anxiety, stress, irritability, avoidance of others, short-term memory loss, and depression. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise on whether a 50 percent rating for PTSD should be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of depression, hyperarousal, impaired sleeping and anger. There is no evidence of obsessional rituals, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, delusions, illogical speech, near continuous panic, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances or memory loss.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to February 9, 2009. From that date forward, the rating has been increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical inquiry.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more current VA examination to assess the current nature, extent and severity of his PTSD. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to TDIU rating has been raised by the record and must be adjudicated in conjunction with the increased rating claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU due to her failure to report for a VA examination. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative joint disease, lumbosacral spine was also denied.