PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and medical records. The Veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) after all necessary actions are taken.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 30 percent since December 8, 2010.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his IVDS and PTSD was granted, with the effective date of December 6, 2000, for the increased rating of 50 percent for PTSD.,A TDIU on an extra-schedular basis was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by severe symptomatology such as hallucinations and delusions, severe sleep disturbances, and occasional suicidal ideation, consistent with a finding of total occupational and social impairment. A 100 percent rating is warranted from October 6, 2005.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since July 29, 2008. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD from this date.,For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and MDD have caused significant impairment in his ability to work, leading to unemployment since 2002.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including cognitive impairment, sleep disturbances, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, approximate the criteria for a 70 percent rating. The Board also found that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical development and to make specific findings regarding service connection, aggravation of pre-existing conditions, and the provisions related to the presumption of soundness.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding pre-service medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the causal relationship between his acquired psychiatric disability and active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and PTSD, is being remanded for further development. The case will be reconsidered after the additional evidence has been reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, as it was incurred due to various stressors during the Veteran's active duty combat service in Korea.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, and concluded that the Veteran's claimed stressors did not support a diagnosis of PTSD. The VA examination report also indicated that there was no causal link between any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder and service.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder is rated at 70 percent since January 23, 2010. The Board has granted a 100 percent disability evaluation effective January 23, 2010.

The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable prior to December 4, 2003, that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD had increased in severity so as to meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, as well as a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be held in abeyance pending completion of these actions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD has been granted at 50 percent, effective March 15, 2007. The appeal is not about service connection but rather the appropriate rating for a pre-existing condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, PTSD, and respiratory disability are related to his service. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptations due to lack of legal merit.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine the causation or etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder(s).