PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted as a direct service connection, and the VA determined that he had not been diagnosed with PTSD at the time of his death.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus was granted as a direct service connection, based on evidence indicating it was related to combat injuries during service.,The Veteran's claim for spinal disorder was granted as a direct service connection, due to old trauma and a nexus to combat service.,The Veteran's claim for seborrheic dermatitis was denied as there was no competent medical evidence linking the condition to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange or any event during service.,The Veteran's claim for left knee disorder was granted as a direct service connection, based on evidence indicating he had arthritis due to old trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to November 26, 2008 and increased to 70 percent effective on that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU, effective March 13, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat and there is no corroboration of his claimed in-service stressors. As a result, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), a left ankle disability, hearing loss, Meniere's syndrome, and a spine disability. The appeals are based on new evidence submitted after previous denials.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to a material change in disability since his last VA examination, and the need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran is currently receiving disability compensation for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus granting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, particularly from his Vet Center in New York.

Throughout the rating period on appeal prior to April 6, 2006, the Veteran's PTSD manifested with symptoms such as panic attacks more than once a week and difficulty understanding complex commands. These symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his adjustment disorder with depressed mood and PTSD has been denied as the evidence does not show that he meets the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent from June 16, 2006, to January 31, 2011, or in excess of 50 percent from then on.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in excess of 30 percent from September 22, 2008. The TDIU claim was granted as there is at least equipoise evidence showing the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been shown to result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 12, 2011. The initial rating of 50 percent from July 17, 2008 to August 11, 2011 remains unchanged.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment, with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds that the criteria for a 50 percent disability evaluation are met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD. The other diagnosed psychiatric disorders are rated under the same General Rating Formula as PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was dismissed as a matter of law due to the finality of the February 2006 Board decision.