PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to PTSD. The issues of rating PTSD and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 20, 1997. The current rating criteria are applied to this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an eye disorder, and it is now considered. The bilateral blepharitis is found to be due to disease or injury that was incurred in active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is granted. It is found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder, and it is now considered. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is shown to be linked events that as likely as not happened during his period of active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder is granted. It is found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a sleep disorder.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a disability manifested by multiple joint pains, and it is now considered. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is shown to be linked events that as likely as not happened during his period of active service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is granted. It is found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, and it is now considered. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is shown to be linked events that as likely as not happened during his period of active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 9411. The evidence does not show that he meets or approximates the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability evaluation since May 30, 2003.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, a respiratory disorder, muscle and joint pain with tremors and swelling, headaches, skin rash, stomach disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and dysthymic disorder. The appeal was dismissed for three issues, but the remaining claims were remanded.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, diagnosed as depressive disorder, attributable to service. A personality disorder has been diagnosed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for schizoaffective disorder with PTSD has been denied. The earliest effective date assignable is May 10, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The decision is based on the finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD with depression and anxiety has been manifested by symptoms such as anxiety, nightmares, social isolation, diminished interest in activities, avoidance behavior, and sleep difficulties. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 70 percent or 100 percent due to his inability to establish effective relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since September 30, 2010. As the disability rating is already at its maximum level for PTSD, any further claim for a TDIU is moot.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed due to his satisfaction with the current rating. The claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder and thyroid disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD had its onset during his active military service and granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his cerebrovascular disease and its associated residuals, including dizziness, is granted. He is assigned a minimum of a 10 percent rating effective from November 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a claim prior to November 22, 2006. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 50%.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and alcohol abuse is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that an initial rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and related disorders is granted, with the diagnosis based on a personal assault during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is advised that failure to report for the scheduled examination may result in the denial of his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication, including obtaining medical records from his private physician and arranging for a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD or other psychiatric disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was granted an initial rating of 50 percent prior to September 9, 2010. Effective from September 9, 2010, the Veteran is rated at 100 percent for PTSD with depression.