PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD disability rating was increased to 70 percent, effective April 28, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability. From May 27, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and adjudicating his claim for TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including requesting mental examination reports and trial transcripts. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is at issue, but the appeal is not solely about service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to disturbances in mood and motivation including depression, irritability, insomnia, social isolation, excessive fatigue, avoidance, diminished personal hygiene, and mild cognitive dysfunction. The criteria for a 50 percent disability rating are met.

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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right median neuropathy. The case will be reconsidered after the additional evidence has been reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted. The diagnosis of PTSD was established by a VA psychiatrist and the stressor events are consistent with the Veteran's documented service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, chronic sinusitis, right restless leg syndrome, and left restless leg syndrome has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 30, 2006 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted and the effective date will be October 2, 1985.

The Board denied service connection for both Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and bilateral tinnitus, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions in the Veteran's records. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the threshold requirements for a TDIU rating as his combined disability rating is less than 70%. The Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, primarily his PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder. The Veteran's symptoms have been linked to his period of service.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be the result of stressors experienced during his active military service in Vietnam, and the Board finds these stressors are consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of his service. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his VA and private medical records, including those from the Camden VA Clinic and Dr. C.G.H.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and adjudication, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a psychiatric examination to assess the impact of PTSD on employment, and readjudicating his claim for higher rating for PTSD.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from March 27, 2009 due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for a videoconference hearing before the Board on his claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD.