PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his knee disabilities or PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, chest pain, right lower leg pain, acid reflux, and left side nose disorder have been granted with effective dates of January 18, 2007.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to verify his combat participation and stressor events. The case will be returned to the VA examiner for an addendum and potential additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are presumed to have pre-existed service and were aggravated by military service. Service connection is granted for PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and dissociative identity disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his PTSD and anxiety disorder are related to his military service. For the initial compensable rating for residuals of malaria, a VA examination is needed due to the passage of time since the last examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since April 13, 2005, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 70 percent effective January 28, 2013. His diagnoses of Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder were reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and active service. The RO denied his claim for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 50 percent.,The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities were reopened based on new evidence received since the last denial in February 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss) render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether his PTSD symptoms prevent him from securing and following such employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient information regarding the current severity of his PTSD and whether he can obtain and retain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and substance abuse induced mood disorder with depressive symptoms, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The underlying claim is now characterized as a claim for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and major depressive disorder due to an in-service personal assault.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for hepatitis C and a right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since August 17, 2008. The Board has determined that a 70 percent rating is warranted for his PTSD beginning from this date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The effective date of TDIU prior to August 13, 2009 was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be re-adjudicated after the development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected gastritis and assigned a 30 percent disability rating for gastritis. The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for gastritis was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 8, 2006. The disability is characterized by mood disturbances, passive suicidal ideation, low energy, sadness, poor concentration, diminished interest in formerly enjoyable activities, feelings of alienation, sleep disturbances with recurrent nightmares, intrusive recollections, flashbacks, and avoidance behavior.