PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective October 13, 2011. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment in work and social functioning.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, paranoid schizophrenia, and bilateral knee disability. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or establish that the disabilities were incurred in service.,There was no evidence of compensably disabling psychiatric conditions within one year following discharge from active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD due to stressors incurred in service and did not find evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability related to service. The claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressor of being on an amphibious vehicle which sank, and finds that he meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, although with generally satisfactory functioning. He is not entitled to a higher initial rating for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's character of discharge from his period of service from April 3, 2001 to September 19, 2008 is not a bar to VA benefits. Additionally, the Board has found that PTSD was incurred in service and granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to October 1, 2010 and at 70 percent from October 1, 2010 to December 30, 2010. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not preclude substantially gainful employment prior to May 29, 2008. Therefore, an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning, and he takes continuous medication for all of his psychiatric disabilities, including his nonservice-connected depression. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for PTSD and angioneurotic edema were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD or 40 percent for angioneurotic edema.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The claim for sleep apnea was also denied as it is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is etiologically related to active service and grants service connection for PTSD. The issue of secondary substance abuse disorder will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since January 20, 2011, effective from May 17, 2005.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for PTSD due to the need for additional employment records from the Belton Independent School District.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an adequate examination and opinion regarding his PTSD, as well as any available SSA disability records. The case will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board found no evidence of a stressor related to his military service that would support a diagnosis of PTSD.