PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

Between January 31, 2008 and August 8, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms that produced occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The appellant was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD between January 31, 2008 and August 8, 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claims for pilonidal cyst and PTSD are pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, dermatitis, cardiovascular disease, heart disability, muscle pain, and joint pain prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood have been rated at a 50 percent disability rating since December 17, 2009, due to impairment of short and long term memory, impaired judgment, depressed mood, sleep impairment, anxiety, and disturbances of motivation and mood resulting in reduced reliability and productivity due to social and occupational impairment.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge from October 1969 to June 1972 constituted a bar to VA benefits, and denied all service connection claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his disability does not warrant a higher evaluation as he did not meet the criteria for total disability due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The VA has determined that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation based on current criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of malaria or any residuals thereof, and there is no evidence linking his claimed psychiatric disorder to service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right thigh scar from a gunshot wound, collectively meet the schedular requirements for consideration of a TDIU. With full consideration of his educational background and occupational experience, and resolving doubt in his favor, the Veteran is precluded from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the initial decision, and now the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher rating prior to November 25, 2007 or from February 1, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 29, 2011 and 50 percent since then. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 26, 2005, reflecting severe symptoms that have caused significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for a face-to-face psychological evaluation with appropriate psychological testing to determine the correct diagnoses of any current neuropsychiatric and/or personality disorder(s) and whether they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active military service and whether he has an anxiety disorder that is attributable to his service. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability other than PTSD (major depressive disorder) is found to be related to his service, including his military service in Vietnam. The sinus allergies are not considered to be related to his service or any exposure therein.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's statements regarding these conditions were deemed not competent evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is not shown to be due to service. The Veteran's claimed stressor could not be verified and there is no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder etiologically related to his military service.