PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by intrusive thoughts, frequent nightmares, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hyperarousal, mild avoidance behaviors, and panic attacks occurring less than once a week. The GAF scores ranged from 50 to 65 prior to July 16, 2010, indicating reduced reliability and productivity with difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded it for further development. The claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus remain pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records from VA facilities and verifying stressor incidents. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to November 7, 2009, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,While the Veteran has been diagnosed with insomnia/sleep disorder, it is not considered a compensable disability for which service connection can be granted. The Veteran's sleep issues are associated with his PTSD and not due to any service exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development must be accomplished prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD. The case is REMANDED to the AMC/RO to schedule a Travel Board hearing before a member of the Board at the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and issues related to his claimed stressors. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of an inservice stressor and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorders related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves his service-connected PTSD and bladder incontinence. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether he is entitled to a TDIU prior to May 2, 2002, when SSDI was awarded for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but generally functioning satisfactorily.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and PTSD with history of adjustment disorder with anxiety, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating for the period from March 2, 2008, to January 29, 2012.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, Parkinson's disease, CAD, glaucoma, kidney disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and sinusitis is granted due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a skin disorder, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are consistent with his military duties and confirming diagnoses of PTSD. The skin disorder is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for verification of a claimed stressor and additional VA treatment records. A VA examination will be scheduled if the stressor is verified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and requesting an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's headaches and his service-connected PTSD.

PTSD with alcohol abuse and sleeping problems was initially rated as 50 percent disabling from March 30, 2007 to February 9, 2010. From February 10, 2010 forward, the Veteran is entitled to a rating of at least 70 percent.,Chronic myofascial strain of left trapezius muscle has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to reassess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be considered.