PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 26, 2011, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. His initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 27, 2010, and his request for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from that date were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical records and a PTSD examination. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by isolation, debilitating panic attacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, poor concentration, and an inability to establish effective relationships. The Board finds a 70 percent evaluation is warranted beginning October 7, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's account of in-service stressors is credible, and his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a panic disorder with agoraphobia, as this condition is related to his military service. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish PTSD based on combat exposure.

The Veteran does not have congestive heart failure, PTSD, or bipolar disorder that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected PTSD and consideration of any new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, are related to his active service. The Board finds that these conditions were likely caused by substance abuse during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone would have precluded him from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment since August 6, 1993. As a result, an effective date of August 6, 1993 for special monthly compensation based on housebound status is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms most nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent schedular rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for further examination. The claims will be returned to the RO for additional action.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 19, 1998, for the finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted. The effective date is prior to August 27, 1999.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for an additional VA examination to determine whether his service-connected disabilities alone are sufficient to produce unemployability, and for readjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other diagnosed conditions, has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment warranting a 70 percent rating since January 14, 2009.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, was denied as there is no evidence of a recognized in-service stressor or chronic disease related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.