PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 12, 2005. The Board granted a 70 percent rating effective December 7, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI and PTSD have been productive of severe economic inadaptability during the entire claims period, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD does not render him unemployable, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and further review is required.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling effective July 23, 2008. The claim for an increased rating prior to that date remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by depression, anxiety, sleep problems, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, anger outbursts, irritability, hyper startle response, hypervigilance, and social withdrawal. The Veteran has been reasonably groomed with good personal hygiene, fully oriented, alert, cooperative, and maintained good eye contact.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED due to incomplete development of his claims file, including missing VA treatment records and a need for medical opinions regarding the relationship between his medications and any additional disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible evaluation (100%) from December 1, 2001 to April 3, 2011. The effective date for this rating is set at August 8, 2002.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, a left knee disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were granted. The Veteran was also awarded the Global War on Terrorism Medal.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated as 30 percent prior to October 30, 2009 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. Bilateral hearing loss was not found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete examination reports and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, and a skin condition and scar, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants the claim for TDIU.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's claimed stressors occurred during service and if they are related to his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for higher ratings for PTSD, with the Board finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent from October 6, 1998 through October 31, 2001 and a rating in excess of 70 percent from November 1, 2001.

The Board finds by a clear preponderance of the evidence that service connection for a back disability is not warranted. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD includes all acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. However, there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing due to his request, and the issues of reopening PTSD service connection and entitlement to bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts with blindness of the left eye are pending.

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

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and bilateral pes planus have been granted, with service connection established based on direct evidence of a link between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70 percent disability evaluation, effective February 12, 1999. This decision resolves the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date prior to June 21, 2004.