PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50 percent rating since October 7, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD has caused deficiencies in most of the areas of family relations, judgment, thinking and mood without total occupational and social impairment. The criteria for a 70 percent evaluation have been met throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 30 percent prior to December 30, 2011. As of that date, the VA assigned a 50 percent evaluation for his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional evidentiary development and scheduling of a hearing before a third Veteran's Law Judge.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional notice and assistance. The issue includes verification of a claimed stressor.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and credible evidence to support the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor or his current psychiatric conditions, leading to a denial of service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct a new VA psychiatric examination, and determine the Veteran's eligibility for TDIU based on his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a skin disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine if current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been denied as the rating schedule is adequate to evaluate these disabilities, and there are no related factors such as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 9, 2008 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran originally filed a claim in September 2005 which was denied and became final. He did not file to reopen his claim prior to June 9, 2008 when he requested to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 3, 2005. The VA examiner found that the symptoms of his PTSD have resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since June 15, 2009, due to very frequent and prolonged attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not file a timely substantive appeal within the required time frame. The issues of service connection for left knee disorder, hypertension, and PTSD were decided on their merits based on the evidence of record at that time. Initial ratings for low back disability and cervical spine disability were also addressed but are not relevant to this decision.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed and will be obtained. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU per 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, his claim of entitlement to a TDIU is submitted to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) due to marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as he did not meet the requirements for a TDIU prior to May 24, 2005.