PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at a 50 percent disability rating and now meets the criteria for a 70 percent rating. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD and PTSD. However, new evidence does not establish a valid in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals for increased rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The claim for TDIU has been granted as his service-connected disability meets the minimum schedular criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to April 13, 2011, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation as they do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and he meets the schedular requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or a skin disability of the feet that can be linked to his service. The Board finds no evidence of a heart condition secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for any psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, urinary tract infections, headaches, left foot and right foot disorders, cervical spine disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service disease or injury resulting in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at 20 percent. The combined rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to PTSD alone.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from April 20, 2005 to September 5, 2005. After that date, the rating remained at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of all submitted evidence. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Board found that the Veteran's depression and possible posttraumatic stress disorder did not first manifest during service or are otherwise related to service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of severe occupational and significant social impairment since March 15, 2012. The disability is currently rated at 70 percent under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is currently productive of no more than occupational and social impairment, with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal) due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, and/or mild memory loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as service connection for hypertension secondary to his service-connected conditions, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be incurred in active service due to combat stressors, and the claim for service connection is granted.