PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, thus granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. He is currently rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent for PTSD since August 12, 2011.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD has not been submitted, as the appellant's previous claims were denied due to pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was granted service connection. The claim for galactorrhea is pending and will be decided based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including requesting SSA records and service personnel records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and providing the Veteran with notice of his rights under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(5).

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping due to recurrent nightmares, irritability, suicidal ideations, social isolation, and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores ranging from 47-59. The disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied as the September 2005 rating decision, which assigned a 50% rating and January 13, 2004 effective date, is final.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, bronchitis, and bilateral foot calluses. The decision found that while the Veteran was exposed to noise in service, his right ear hearing impairment did not meet VA compensation criteria. His left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were determined to be related to service exposure. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a verified in-service stressor. No new evidence reopened any claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating prior to April 2, 2011.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his Substantive Appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent from July 3, 2002 to July 18, 2007. From July 19, 2007 to June 1, 2010, the Veteran meets criteria for a 70 percent evaluation based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. Since June 2, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as it was incurred in service due to a personal assault during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee contusion, fibroma, PTSD, and substance abuse. The decision found that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. Service connection for substance abuse is not warranted as it resulted from voluntary use of drugs and alcohol.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and major depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, necessitating a 50% disability rating prior to May 12, 2006. Since then, the impairment has been total, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to June 9, 2009 and not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent from that date.