PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board is requesting an independent assessment from the Joint Services Records Research Center to verify a November 1968 commendation letter that supports the Veteran's claim for PTSD. The Veteran must provide evidence of a verified stressor in order to reopen his service connection claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, dissociative disorder, dysthymia, and affective disorder. The Veteran's statements, post-service medical records, and behavior are consistent with those factors as found in 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f).

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and increased ratings for PTSD was denied. The TDIU claim from April 21, 2009 to April 8, 2012 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted effective May 18, 2005, based on his service-connected PTSD and a duodenal ulcer. The effective date is the earliest date on which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting authorization to obtain non-VA clinical records. The TDIU issue is being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and panic disorder with agoraphobia, is granted service connection as secondary to a service-connected disability of the left eye with chronic foreign body sensation and headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 4, 2006. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as panic attacks, memory impairment, depression, difficulty with relationships, and occasional mild hallucinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective January 15, 2011. The rating reflects significant impairment in work and social functioning.

The Board denied a higher evaluation for PTSD prior to April 1, 2010 and also denied the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 10, 2008 and the Board finds that his symptoms have continued to meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For the period prior to October 10, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, are related to service. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum to the April 2013 VA examiner's report. The appeal is now pending again.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 20, 2001. The rating is based on symptoms that cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression is denied. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for seborrheic dermatitis and the issue of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss are not addressed as they were not part of the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to develop evidence regarding his claimed stressors and to consider the revised regulations concerning service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a current right hip disability and denied his claim of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and other conditions such as kidney, bladder, and bilateral foot disorders. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.