PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 1, 2005, for the grant of service connection for PTSD and adjustment disorder with depression was denied as there is no pending, unadjudicated claim of entitlement to service connection for adjustment disorder with depression dating back to September 1983.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals on several issues due to his withdrawal of those claims. The remaining issues are related to service connection for hypertension, a psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his disability is currently rated at 70 percent, and there is no evidence of total social and occupational impairment due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of award of service connection for PTSD was denied as his claim was not submitted prior to March 12, 1999 and there is no evidence showing the increase in severity became factually ascertainable prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and headaches are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, provide secondary service connection notice, and schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the evidence shows that she has occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to parasuicidal tendencies, depression, impaired impulse control such as unprovoked irritability with periods of domestic violence; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances including work or a worklike setting; and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board finds this warrants a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is for a higher initial rating of 30 percent for his PTSD. The claim has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to reassess the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated medical evidence and an examination.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, IBS, and paresthesia of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate evidence of the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and for obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case and scheduling of a Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a comprehensive evaluation of his PTSD symptomatology and additional treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including verification of service locations and obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disorder and has granted service connection for adjustment disorder. The claims for skin cancer and PTSD remain pending.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, will be reconsidered due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is REMANDED for additional development including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and inpatient/outpatient treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric condition will be evaluated to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an examination and adjudicating new issues such as service connection for ischemic heart disease and whether new evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for hypertension. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD, as there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been fully granted with a 30% disability rating effective July 15, 2010. As the benefits sought have already been awarded, the issue is dismissed.