PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and schizoaffective disorder, are service-connected. The sleep disorder is also found to be related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to April 19, 2004 and increased to 70 percent effective April 19, 2004.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his service or any incident therein, including fear of hostile military activity. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as his combined percentage of service-connected disabilities is less than 70% and he does not meet the threshold requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and sinus condition were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's headaches are etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD and its associated mental health conditions, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), tension, and anxiety. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports this relationship.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination to assess his current PTSD severity, as well as other issues related to his service-connected PTSD and alcohol abuse.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a C&P examination. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his PTSD and TDIU.

The Board has reopened both the claim for a low back disorder and the PTSD claim due to new evidence. However, service connection cannot be established as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination for PTSD and hypertension, as well as an opportunity for the Veteran to submit an informal brief regarding benign prostatic hypertrophy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service and post-service medical records, clarifying the examiner's statements regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death, leading to dementia and ultimately renal failure. The claim of entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied by the Board. The evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to psychiatric symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and a need for further examination to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the symptoms, including nightmares and irritability, were consistent with a reduced reliability and productivity but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has ordered the claims to be remanded for additional development and readjudication, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse and depression was initially rated at 50 percent from March 30, 2006 to December 10, 2007. Effective December 11, 2007, the Veteran received a 100% rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability, which included PTSD with alcohol abuse and depression. The effective date of TDIU was granted as of December 11, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent and granted for accrued benefits purposes. The appellant contends that a higher rating is warranted, but the Board found no evidence of occupational or social impairment warranting an increased rating.