PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, meeting the schedular percentage criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if he has any current psychiatric disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for psychiatric disorders, right ankle and foot disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, clarify the nature of her conditions, and determine if there are any secondary service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TDIU entitlement arose as of April 4, 2006, based on his service-connected disabilities and elevated combined disability evaluation. An effective date of August 4, 2006, but none earlier, is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 3, 2008. The Board found that the occupational and social impairment from his PTSD more nearly approximated reduced reliability and productivity than deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the Board denied entitlement to cause of death benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 70 percent disabling, and she is granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his claim for service connection for depression, have been granted. The Veteran is entitled to initial ratings higher than 10 percent for the non-dominant upper extremity and lower extremities, and a rating higher than 30 percent for the dominant upper extremity since February 27, 2009. He also has been granted service connection for depression.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied as the evidence does not show that his coronary artery disease, claimed as heart condition, is due to VA negligence or an unforeseeable event.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 25, 2005. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to insufficient occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from a VA Hospital in Houston, Texas.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been received. The Board also determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating or an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeal for an increase in the evaluation of his PTSD, and also requests that a scheduled hearing be withdrawn. As a result, the Board has no jurisdiction to review this case.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health treatment records and verifying alleged stressors. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum available rating. The Board finds that his symptoms warrant this evaluation.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of November 3, 2006 for the assignment of a 100% disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. For his lumbar spine strain with spondylosis, he was granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent prior to March 27, 2009 and 40 percent from that date onwards.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The symptoms include intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbances, anxiety, decreased concentration, memory loss, avoidance behavior, panic attacks, irritability, anger, conflicts with workers, and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his ability to maintain gainful employment due to service-connected PTSD. A new VA examination and opinion are needed.