PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied due to lack of a verified in-service stressor. New evidence received since the previous denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim received before October 12, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was pending at the time of his death, but there is no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria. The Board cannot consider medical evidence received after the date of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary alcohol and cocaine dependence was rated at 30 percent from July 16, 2001, to October 5, 2003, and at 70 percent beginning October 6, 2003. The appeal for an increased rating is granted.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective February 5, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The PTSD issue is remanded for a new VA examination to determine its current severity.

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

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 13, 2007. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, constant nightmares, disturbances of motivation and mood, increased anxiety, irritability, anger, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions. The appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and DIC benefits are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective February 1, 1993. The Board found that the disability has resulted in definite social and industrial impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially evaluated at a 10 percent prior to July 8, 2008. As of that date, the evaluation increased to 50 percent. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is related to or had its onset in service, including as secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's right ankle disability was also considered.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 9, 2003. The VA examiner noted symptoms such as intrusive thoughts and avoidance of military themes in media.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Veteran served in Okinawa, Japan, and Korea but not in Vietnam where Agent Orange exposure is presumed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD and an evaluation of his ability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU remain before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are etiologically related to his military service, including his time in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder and denied the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his disability picture does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation due to total occupational and social impairment.