PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hypothyroidism, all secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms for the period prior to May 13, 2008 do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent. For the period beginning on May 13, 2008, his PTSD disability is rated as 70 percent disabling and meets the minimum percentage requirements for an award of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent evaluation from July 1, 2009 to April 9, 2013. Since April 9, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD caused more severe impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The Board has granted the claim for service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and to determine if he currently suffers from PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disability related to his service. The case will be returned for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The Board will consider whether his claimed stressors are adequate to support a diagnosis of PTSD based on fear of hostile military activity during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues regarding whether the Veteran's alcohol abuse is secondary to his PTSD, as well as potential service connection for polyneuropathy.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 50 percent since May 12, 2010, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand instructions and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unemployable prior to December 30, 2003. The Board found that the effective date for TDIU should be set at December 30, 2003, and denied special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), due to personal assaults in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current PTSD was not incurred in active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 30 percent disability rating, the lowest available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The evidence does not support an increase in his disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since November 30, 2006. The VA determined that the disability results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent since June 5, 2008. The RO assigned this rating based on a September 2008 VA examination. However, the Veteran reported an increase in symptoms due to recent loss and ongoing treatment for PTSD. Therefore, another examination is needed to determine if his PTSD has worsened.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of AIDS secondary to PTSD should be August 15, 2008, as this is the date of the VA examination that confirmed the diagnosis and established the secondary relationship.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD, linking it to his combat experiences in Vietnam.