PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while sufficient to meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further procedural and evidentiary development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression is being remanded due to incomplete development. The VA examiner was not provided with accurate information regarding the Veteran's alleged stressor in Korea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) are not service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD is not productive of total social impairment, and the Board found that a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has not been met or approximated.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment for the period from February 19, 2009 to September 17, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships from August 5, 2002, to June 7, 2012. Since June 8, 2012, his PTSD has caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran was granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD since June 8, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, pemphigus foliaceus, and PTSD, finding no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected PTSD on his ability to work.

The Veteran is entitled to a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective May 30, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 30, 2003 for service connection of PTSD due to CUE in a 1988 rating decision. The April 1988 decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for kidney cancer and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are not substantiated, as they do not fall under the scope of this appeal. The claim for a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination. The issue of service connection for alcohol abuse/dependence will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The case remains on hold with respect to the claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused his alcohol/drug abuse, which in turn contributed to his fatal pancreatic cancer. Therefore, service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, thinking, and mood due to symptoms of near continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently. The Board finds that a higher initial disability rating than 30 percent for PTSD is warranted.

The Board has not yet determined whether new evidence was submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. If it did, the decision on that issue is pending.

The claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder, claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder, was granted. The condition is considered to be service-connected under a direct theory without any presumption or secondary connection.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships from August 5, 2002, to June 7, 2012. Since June 8, 2012, his PTSD has caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran was granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD since June 8, 2012.