PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, was denied. However, the Board found that he has a current diagnosis of depressive disorder and anxiety disorder with PTSD features, which is etiologically related to his in-service stressors.,Service connection was granted for MGUS as it is considered a progression of the Veteran's asymptomatic condition. The Board determined that there is no evidence linking the MGUS to exposure to asbestos or other chemicals during service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression, and PTSD, which was incurred as a result of active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hepatitis C were denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, which meets the schedular requirements for consideration of a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities alone are sufficiently severe to produce unemployability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is related to a verified in-service stressor and has been granted service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's combined disability evaluation of 70 percent due to service-connected disabilities meets the criteria for consideration under 4.16(a) for TDIU, but the evidence does not support a finding that his service-connected conditions alone render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by joint pain or headaches and nausea, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim of service connection for PTSD remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and his chronic left wrist disability is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of qualifying disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on direct evidence of a link between his in-service stressors and his current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and tension headaches, and considering a TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain VA outpatient treatment records and readjudicate the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks since the award of service connection.

The case is being remanded for further development to determine if there are in-service stressors that support a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder and whether any current psychiatric disorders other than PTSD are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, GERD with Barrett's esophagus, and hemorrhoids. The appeals are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability did not have onset during active service or within one year of separation for active service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a heart disability was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and its impact on his employment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was granted, and the effective date for this grant is set at April 17, 2002.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, frostbite of the left foot, frostbite of the right foot, and a throat scar. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the appeal period began, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.