PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from December 18, 2009. The skin disorder claim remains pending as service connection has not been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records.

The May 2008 rating decision restored the effective date of a permanent and total disability rating for PTSD to January 5, 1998.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded for further evaluation, including a VA examination to assess his employment capacity.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck pain, spasms, and headaches are not related to his service injury in 2001. The claim for residuals of a neck injury was denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability during service or continuity of symptoms post-service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, mood disorder, and sleep maintenance disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to clarify diagnoses and determine whether any current psychiatric disability was incurred in or as a result of active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to unclear evidence regarding his employability and the impact of his service-connected disabilities. The case will be reviewed again after a medical examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, as well as any other psychiatric conditions. Any outstanding records from Vet Centers, St. Anthony's, SSA, and VA treatment facilities will also be obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD was first diagnosed in service and the stressors supporting the diagnosis are consistent with his deployments as a signals intelligence and ground electronic warfare specialist. The Board finds that the criteria for establishing service connection for PTSD have been met, granting the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include seeking an effective date prior to May 9, 2008, for PTSD and panic disorder with agoraphobia; service connection for Raynaud's disease, eczema, and psoriasis; evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD; and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent evaluation, as his symptoms did not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran was granted service connection for TBI and PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms of dizziness, confusion, and headaches following head injuries sustained in Iraq are consistent with his current diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the Veteran's failure to appear at a previously scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, effective April 22, 2009. The Board found that the disability does not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues regarding increased PTSD rating and TDIU effective date are not resolved.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The Veteran's appeal is currently in process and not decided.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to June 25, 2007, and the claim for an increased evaluation remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent for the period prior to December 9, 2010, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and employment information.