PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining records from the Shreveport VA Medical Center and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to assess the current severity of his psychiatric disabilities, lumbar strain, and dermatophytosis of both feet.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50% disability rating from June 4, 1998 to July 25, 2002. The RO is directed to assign an initial compensable evaluation for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's PTSD and facial scar were granted effective January 30, 2007. The PTSD met the criteria for a 70% evaluation as of November 28, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as there was no earlier formal or informal claim for the conditions listed.,An effective date of January 16, 1951 is granted for service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to a parachuting accident during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and Social Security Administration disability benefits records. The case will be readjudicated after the development is completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressor involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and treatment. The Veteran needs to provide additional VA or private records, including those from a Vet Center and Dr. D.G., for further evaluation.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 30 percent, but the Board found no evidence of more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The claims for PTSD, IBS, migraines, joint pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome with insomnia were not addressed as they are being remanded.

Between February 26 and July 17, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in work and family relations, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and severe symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and hallucinations. The Board determined that these symptoms most nearly approximated a finding of total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by at least occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms including suicidal ideation; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances; and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. As a result, the Veteran is granted an initial 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a seizure disorder require additional development due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including consideration of new evidence and regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is competent to handle funds disbursed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, based on evidence showing his ability to manage financial affairs with appropriate supervision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim, as there is no diagnosis of PTSD and the VA examinations found no current symptomatology.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 6, 2007. His radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to address his claims for service connection for various psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The case will be readjudicated in accordance with the provisions of Clemons and the revisions in 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f) that came into effect July 13, 2010.