PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by obsessional rituals, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, irritability, occasional spatial disorientation, social and occupational impairment, and suicidal ideation. The Board has determined that a 70 percent evaluation is warranted as of December 1, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or any other psychiatric disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent from May 20, 1998. The evidence does not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be reviewed again after the examination and any necessary extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 100 percent effective May 29, 2007, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and dysthymia, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his fear of dying while in country. The right ankle disorder claim is not addressed as it lacks a current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for a psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and bilateral hip conditions are granted, with the exception of her right hip condition which is pending further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in his requiring assistance with a number of his activities of daily living (ADLs) and require care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, and adjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since January 14, 2008. The initial disability ratings for the earlier periods have not been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as potential adjustment of his PTSD rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a bilateral knee disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left hip disability and GERD has been granted with an initial rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a skin disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left ankle disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted with an initial rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 24, 2007. Prior to July 19, 2008, the disability was manifested by severe occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in mood due to symptoms such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle reaction, depression, and explosive anger. From July 19, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by an inability to maintain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran seeks an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of his condition and remands the case back to the RO for further action.

The Veteran is entitled to an initial disability rating of 30 percent for PTSD, effective from March 7, 2007 to March 14, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, varicose veins, and a psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran did not provide any additional information or evidence that would support reopening these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant impairment, including social isolation and difficulty maintaining employment, warranting a 50% disability rating for accrued benefits purposes.