PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse in partial remission were granted an initial rating of 10 percent before March 7, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to April 28, 2010 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 30 percent.

The case is remanded for another VA examination to assess the existence and etiology of any psychiatric disorder found, including PTSD. The examiner must reconcile previous findings with current ones and provide a true picture of the nature of the Veteran's psychiatric status.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, or headaches that were caused by his service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the applicable VA rating criteria. The Board finds that his symptoms warrant this evaluation given their severity and impact on his daily life.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting mild symptoms such as occasional nightmares and hypervigilance.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination for the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression. The examiner will assess whether the Veteran experienced in-service stressors related to his service and determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to those stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD with pain disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling, effective August 30, 2006. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at various levels of disability, with the highest rating (70%) granted on or after February 3, 2011.

The Board has requested a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death, combined to cause death, and/or aided in producing death. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need to locate inpatient records from his service and obtain Social Security Administration records. The VA will conduct a psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability had its onset during service or is causally related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his active service, and therefore, entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated alcohol and substance abuse is rated at 70 percent disabling from July 15, 2008 to December 6, 2009. The Board also granted a TDIU effective July 15, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 30 percent effective March 23, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his PTSD was granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective November 28, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as occasional suicidal feelings, auditory and visual hallucinations, strained relationships with his spouse and family, few if any friends, no hobbies or interests, unprovoked irritability and anger, impaired impulse control, social isolation and avoidance, sleep disturbances, feelings of hopelessness, hypervigilance, nightmares, flashbacks, panic attacks, exaggerated startled response, poor memory and concentration, difficulty in maintaining and establishing effective relationships, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances at work. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been described as 'severe' and are shown to more nearly approximate a level of occupational and social impairment manifested by deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling examinations, and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's acne, bipolar disorder, PTSD, sinusitis/upper respiratory infections, cesarean section residuals, and menstrual cramps have been granted service connection. The rating for acne has been restored to 10 percent effective September 1, 2000.