PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of all submitted evidence.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to PTSD are being remanded as additional development is required, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal prior to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were characterized by irritability and depression, leading to significant impairment in social relationships. However, the evidence did not demonstrate severe impairment affecting most areas of his life or an inability to establish effective relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 21, 2004. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 100 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bipolar disorder was denied. The Board also found that the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from April 15, 2004 through June 14, 2011 were not met, but remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss from June 15, 2011.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and subclinical PTSD. The claim was reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, effective June 20, 2003. The Board denied entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied, and his claims of entitlement to a TDIU were also denied. The right hip disability claim has been previously denied.

The Veteran's cause of death, congestive heart failure due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD and cold injury residuals. As such, the claim for DIC based on service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied it on its underlying merits. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for retroactive additional compensation benefits for his son (S.C.K.) as a dependent child was denied because the required information was not provided within the one-year time limit set by VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not appearing at a previously scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case is now pending for another hearing.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled Board hearing. The case is now back in the hands of the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in medical records and a need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's combined disability evaluation is 80 percent, which meets the percentage requirements for consideration of a total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and an addendum VA medical opinion regarding his PTSD and TDIU claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are also pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by avoidant behavior, decreased participation in activities, feeling detached and estranged from others, intrusive memories, nightmares, difficulty falling and staying asleep, irritability, hypervigilance, an exaggerated startle response, anxiety, depressed mood, with GAF scores within the range of 49-58. His symptoms result in occupational and social impairment of no more than reduced reliability and productivity.