PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by irritability, anxiety, depression, a constricted or flattened affect, impaired concentration, disturbances of motivation and mood, impaired memory, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on both PTSD and degenerative arthritis, right knee claims prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 11, 2008. The Board found that the disability more nearly approximates the criteria for a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for PTSD and individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was denied. The current rating of 50% for PTSD is deemed insufficient.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 26, 1998. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and adjustment disorder has been granted due to the presence of a credible stressor related to his active military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The issues of diabetes mellitus, increased rating for residuals of right tibia fracture, and reopening of peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities are also being addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 50 percent effective June 6, 2006.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with bipolar disorder was granted effective July 29, 2004. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is July 29, 1998, when the Veteran filed his initial claim.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left foot plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal for his PTSD evaluations, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the claims to obtain additional VA records and to ensure proper notice was provided. The cause of death claim will be readjudicated based on evidence in the file prior to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to April 1, 2011 continued to cause significant impairment in social and occupational functioning, but did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted, but no specific effective date was assigned as it is related to reopening his claim on new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma and bronchitis. The Veteran was found not to have these conditions during his active duty or at any time thereafter, based on a lack of medical evidence supporting their existence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.