PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent since August 17, 2009. The symptoms are mild and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim remains pending as it is not clear whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his military service.,The initial evaluation for PTSD remains denied, with a current rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia (to include as secondary to PTSD), and arthritis have been denied. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from May 3, 2007 through April 18, 2011 has been granted. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD since April 19, 2011 and to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from November 19, 2007 through April 18, 2011 have been granted.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone rendered him unemployable prior to December 6, 2004.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability due to PTSD that can be attributed to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the Veterans Law Judge who conducted the hearing has left the Board. The case will be scheduled for a new video conference hearing at the local RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and related phobias, were incurred during his military service. The claim for depressive disorder is denied as there is no evidence of pre-service onset or service connection. The claim for PTSD is also denied due to lack of in-service occurrence and no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to October 2007, and later increased to 50 and 70 percent. A TDIU was granted effective from April 2009. Service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent since October 13, 2006. An increased evaluation to 50 percent is granted effective January 14, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of his PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, memory loss, muscle spasm, and joint pain. The examiner will assess whether these conditions are related to his military service, particularly his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his PTSD, right foot fracture, low back strain, and right knee patellar tendonitis were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between service-connected conditions and the Veteran's death, as well as to ensure all pertinent records are obtained.

The Board found that the evidence does not establish a stressor related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, a PTSD examination, and readjudication of the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and major depressive disorder, warrants an initial rating of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder warrants a higher initial evaluation of 70 percent, effective December 12, 2008. The appellant is also entitled to a TDIU from February 3, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD has been evaluated at a 50 percent rating since December 2007, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of this level during any portion of the appeal period.