PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary for the PTSD claim due to its age. Additionally, the TDIU issue must be remanded as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active military service, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides during active duty for training. The skin disorder and psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus type II with impotency, preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to such symptoms as chronic sleep impairment, occasional nightmares and flashbacks, periodic irritability, anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, chronic fatigue, motivation deficits, and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores ranging from 60 to 70. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD to include alcohol abuse is not manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board found that the current disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected PTSD, with the issues being from July 31, 2008 to December 28, 2010 and from December 29, 2010 onwards. The current rating of 50 percent has been raised.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent, effective from June 21, 2007. The Veteran also fulfills the schedular rating requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of the conditions listed, except for schizophrenia.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified non-combat stressor that occurred during active military service. The Veteran's testimony and the statement from his fellow cadet have been considered, and both support the claim.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as the increased rating claims for herniated nucleous pulposus and chronic right L4-5 radiculopathy. The Veteran's current diagnoses are depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, with no other mental disorder present.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, but denied his increased disability rating claim for recurrent patellar dislocation of the right knee.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation, which is in excess of the current 50 percent rating. The decision also noted that the Veteran's PTSD did not more closely approximate the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include major depressive disorder and anxiety, is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected PTSD, as well as his request for temporary total evaluations based on hospital treatment. The criteria for these claims were not met.

The Veteran's right knee injury and posttraumatic stress disorder were found to be service-connected, allowing accrued benefits.

The case is being remanded for the Veteran to have a new Travel Board hearing at the Oakland, California RO before a Board VLJ who will be assigned to adjudicate his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected psychophysiologic gastrointestinal (GI) reaction with mild anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an updated GAF score.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU remains pending and is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for additional VA monetary benefits for his spouse S.M. is granted, as the marriage to S.M. is valid and she meets the criteria for dependent status.