PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is rated at the highest schedular level (100 percent) for the entire period on appeal, rendering moot any issues regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hemorrhoids did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to January 2, 2004.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for consideration of multiple psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

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

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including as due to a low back disability. The Veteran's claims were based on her in-service experiences, but the VA opinion found no credible evidence supporting these assertions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for a new VA examination and consideration of his claim for an increased rating for PTSD, including on an extra-schedular basis. The matter of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) within the context of this claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating for the periods from November 29, 2007, to January 14, 2008, from March 1, 2008, through October 4, 2009, and from December 1, 2009.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, and thus, does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, or by reason of being permanently housebound.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been denied as he does not have a current Axis I diagnosis of a chronic psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's in-service assault and subsequent mental health issues, including PTSD, are service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent, the maximum available under VA regulations. The Board also found that he is unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to his posttraumatic stress disorder or other psychiatric disorders, is being remanded due to outstanding medical evidence and the need for a new VA opinion on whether his PTSD chronically aggravated his hypertension.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied both the PTSD and prostate cancer claims on their merits. The acquired psychiatric disorder issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent effective January 23, 1997. In February 2004, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's skin disability, which includes tinea versicolor with variously diagnosed skin rash, has been rated at 60 percent since March 31, 2010. The condition requires constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids and affects more than 40 percent of his body.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the current existence of a psychiatric disorder and the need for additional examination. The case will also be reconsidered in light of the recently amended regulations for adjudicating claims involving PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 31, 2006 for a TDIU was denied as service connection did not become effective for any disability prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records and a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.