PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by sleeplessness, flashbacks, social isolation, and irritability. The preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. Total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD was not shown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his hypertension, which is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD. The appellant's claims for service connection are therefore granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service sexual assault did not constitute a valid stressor for PTSD, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and verification of a reported stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, provide the Veteran with an opportunity to identify his in-service stressors, and schedule him for VA examinations to address the etiology of his left knee disability, gastrointestinal disability, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD with depression and anxiety. The Board finds that no such earlier effective date is warranted as the July 2006 rating decision denying service connection was final, and the August 2, 2007 submission constituted a new claim to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 30 percent for his PTSD with secondary alcohol and drug dependence is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination at his correctional facility.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and granted it. The Veteran is now entitled to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining unit histories and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service. The Veteran claims PTSD due to witnessing traumatic events during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and readjudication of the issue of entitlement to an initial increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records, particularly those from March 2009 forward. The Veteran must also be asked to provide information about any Social Security Administration disability benefits he may have received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran experienced ringing in his ears during service and has continued to experience it since then.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his PTSD has been withdrawn due to the granting of service connection and ratings for other disabilities resulting in a combined 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and stressor verification.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive features is manifested by deficiencies in most areas of social functioning and occupational functioning, including sleep disturbance, recurrent thoughts of the stressor incident, avoidant behavior, anxiety, hypervigilence, irritability, and depressed mood. The Veteran was assigned a GAF score that ranged from 45 to 55.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is significantly responsible for his inability to engage in any type of gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. Service connection for diabetes and hypertension are also granted as secondary to the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the appellant's request. The appeal is not yet decided on the merits of service connection.