PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric symptoms are related to his military service and confirmed in-service stressors. The diagnosis of PTSD is supported by VA medical records and a Vet Center mental health care provider's opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to establish the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran will be asked to provide information about his treatment history, including any private hospitalizations or VA care providers who have treated him for a psychiatric disorder since discharge from service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and other conditions such as anxiety disorder not otherwise specified and major depressive disorder, all resulting from his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left knee disability was granted, but the condition is not considered secondary to any service-connected disability. The maximum schedular rating of 10% has been assigned for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his daughter's and his own indication that he is not appealing these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total social and occupational impairment since April 2010, warranting a 100% initial rating.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU, claiming she became disabled due to her service-connected migraines and lupus disabilities in February 2000. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine when the Veteran first became unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including asking the Veteran to report his employment history and clarifying whether he is currently employed. If unemployed, a VA examination will be conducted to determine if service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or retaining gainful employment.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of PTSD or bipolar disorder, and the Board finds that his psychiatric disabilities are not related to service. The Veteran's diagnoses are attributed to alcohol abuse and personality disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, results in total social and occupational impairment warranting a rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective June 28, 2004. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms as of this date was consistent with a 50 percent rating.

From June 25, 2006 to February 9, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent.,Effective from February 10, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from April 12, 2005 to February 5, 2006 and at 50 percent since February 6, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with a 100% rating effective January 23, 2007. Service connection was also established for hypertension and diabetes mellitus on the same date.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for PTSD prior to August 13, 2010, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 2009, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate for the period from April 16, 2009 to October 2, 2010. Since October 2, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise or reverse its April 1995 decision, which had denied an earlier effective date for PTSD. The Veteran argued that he should have been diagnosed with PTSD at the time of his initial claims and that this would have resulted in a different outcome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the San Juan, Puerto Rico RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claims for neurofibromatosis, cancer of the jaw, skin cancer, and hearing loss have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service, including fear of hostile military activity while serving in Vietnam.