PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA PTSD examination and updated treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after the additional evidence is considered.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 50 percent since July 2005 and at 70 percent thereafter. The RO granted a higher rating for the disability, but did not address the claim for individual unemployability.

The November 26, 2002 rating decision granted a 70% disability rating for PTSD effective July 31, 2001. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as the evidence showed he was working at that time.

For the portion of the appeal period extending from December 21, 2006 to May 21, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD manifestations have most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,At no point during the appeal period extending from December 21, 2006, has the Veteran's PTSD manifested as productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas and/or an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, was granted with an effective date of October 14, 2011. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and verify a reported stressor.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for PTSD was granted, effective from April 28, 1998. The evidence showed severe occupational and social impairment due to PTSD symptoms.

The Board has found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, currently diagnosed as PTSD and bipolar disorder, was incurred in active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of PTSD on his employability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, and after resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of whether he qualifies under an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, and the Board granted service connection for PTSD. The issue of TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this disability. The appellant is seeking a higher rating but cannot be granted as there are no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD with secondary depression have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD due to insufficient corroborated stressor events.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as he was not required to regulate his activities for control of the condition. For PTSD, the Board determined that the current 30 percent rating adequately reflects the level of occupational and social impairment.