PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in total occupational impairment and near-total social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. As a result, he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted with a 50 percent evaluation, which was increased to 70 percent in July 2008. The RO then increased the rating to 100 percent effective May 28, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, require additional development due to the need for medical opinions regarding the adequacy of reported stressors and the etiology of the conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The issue of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities will also be remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, PTSD and a schizoaffective disorder. The claim is granted.,Service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood have been granted initial evaluations, but the evaluation for PTSD since December 28, 2010 has been denied. The effective date for increased ratings remains unknown.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The Board has also found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and is addressing the TDIU claim as part of the increased rating claim. The Veteran's service-connected back disability interferes with his ability to work, raising a TDIU issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his military history and medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent from October 25, 1999 to March 21, 2000. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is shown to have been manifested by a disability picture that more nearly approximates total occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, judgment, thinking, and mood due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively, memory impairment, impaired impulse control, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. A 70 percent evaluation is granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder is currently manifested by impaired sleep, intrusive thoughts and memory flashbacks related to in-service combat experiences, exaggerated startle response, panic attacks occurring more than once per week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impairment of short-term memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, and an inability to establish effective relationships. This results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, and the case is being remanded to further develop evidence related to a reported incident of witnessing a fellow parachute jumper fall to his death in July 1964 while assigned to the 101st Airborne Division.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim should be remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he has PTSD related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise or reverse the RO decisions denying an earlier effective date for PTSD based on CUE, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the May 1981 and January 1983 rating decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found that his sleep disorder is secondary to his PTSD. The Veteran's other claims have been granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity and PTSD have been granted at 20 percent and 70 percent, respectively, effective August 25, 2005.