PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but generally functions satisfactorily.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. A new VA examination will be conducted to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as a result of military service and therefore denies his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The issues are considered to be in a 'unknown' status as they do not pertain directly to service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 7, 2002. The Board granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from November 7, 2002 and granted TDIU due to service-connected PTSD effective from the same date.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD that is related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service personnel records and psychiatric treatment records. The Veteran's claim for PTSD will be evaluated based on whether he witnessed a severe beating during basic training in service.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, refractive error (blurred vision), amoebic dysentery, back disorder, residuals of a right foot laceration and fracture, pes planus, or bilateral calcaneal spurs.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, rendered him unemployable as of December 2, 2005. The effective date for the TDIU rating is set at December 2, 2005.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further evidentiary development, including obtaining treatment records from Dr. Gendron and other medical providers who treated the Veteran prior to his entry into active service.

The Veteran's schizophrenia and PTSD were rated at 50 percent effective March 24, 2003. The Board has determined that the earlier date of claim (March 24, 2003) is appropriate for an effective date.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as the application was not submitted within one year of receiving a request to complete and return a VA Form 21-526, which is required for filing a formal claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression is manifested by sleep disturbance, depressed mood, anxiety, exaggerated startle response, and hypervigilance, resulting in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. He was granted a 30 percent evaluation for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no competent evidence of current diagnoses or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since May 7, 2008. The effective date for service connection of PTSD remains November 22, 1994. Service connection for chronic kidney disease secondary to PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a total left knee replacement are currently rated at 60 percent, effective June 1, 2010. The claim for an increased rating for mood disorder (claimed as PTSD) is denied.