PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from July 9, 2003 to May 21, 2007.,From May 22, 2007 to January 3, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD warranted a rating of 70 percent.,Effective January 4, 2009, the Veteran was granted a higher rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective April 1, 2008. The rating reflects significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 8, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The VA examiner stated that there was insufficient evidence to state that the Veteran's depression is secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether PTSD aggravates or accelerates hypertension. The AOJ must also readjudicate the issue of service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board found that there was no competent medical evidence establishing a diagnosis of PTSD based on an in-service traumatic event or stressor, and the weight of the competent medical evidence is against a nexus between the post-service diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 60%, which meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, he is not unemployable solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective May 27, 2005, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected CFS is rated at 40 percent, effective from March 1, 2002. The Board has also granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of claim (November 2005).

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, Impulse Control Disorder, a neurological condition due to traumatic brain injury, and residuals of pneumonia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected epilepsy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The case is being remanded for consideration of the amended criteria pertaining to service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD. The claim for TDIU will also be considered as part of this process.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent should be granted due to more severe symptoms and occupational/social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the RO for additional development of his VA outpatient treatment records, which may affect his claim for a higher disability evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a psychiatric examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity while on active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disability was denied, but his PTSD was granted and assigned an initial evaluation of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his confirmed in-service stressor of witnessing civilian casualties, and thus service connection for a psychiatric disorder (specifically PTSD) is granted.