PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD was not productive of total occupational and social impairment prior to January 4, 2011. On and after that date, the disability resulted in moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as it does not demonstrate the required symptoms for a higher disability evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The appeal has been denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires further development, including a new VA examination for PTSD and a request for SSA disability benefits records. The case will be reviewed to determine if an extraschedular TDIU rating is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is not related to his military service and did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and PTSD have been denied. The claim for the former was reopened due to new evidence, but he does not currently meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and that his symptoms are related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the cause of death, anoxic brain injury due to hypotension and bradycardia, was not caused or contributed substantially or materially by any service-connected disability. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, lumbosacral spine disability, tinnitus, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss were deemed insufficient to contribute to his death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period after June 6, 2009 is dismissed as moot due to his already assigned 100% schedular rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD and frostbite residuals are associated solely with his second, dishonorable period of service. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or otherwise related to active military service.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for service connection for a skin disability and for a sinus disability has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is denied as he does not qualify under the criteria due to lack of a service-connected skin condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, was rated at 30 percent prior to February 12, 2011. The rating has been maintained since then.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The low back disability is also denied as there is no evidence of service connection or aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Charles A. Cannon Memorial Hospital on July 14, 2008 are eligible for reimbursement by VA under the provisions of Chapter 17 of Title 38 of the United States Code.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, particularly those from the mental health facilities where the Veteran was hospitalized in November 2008 and his follow-up visits. The VA will seek these records to determine if PTSD is service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The VA examiner found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective from May 5, 2003. The Board also granted an earlier effective date of August 27, 2004 for SMC based on being housebound and remanded the TDIU claim since it is now moot due to the grant of a higher rating for PTSD.