PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam, and affords him the benefit of the doubt in favor of a diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing VCAA notice and obtaining VA treatment records. The Veteran's PTSD rating is also being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 1, 1997 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. The initial rating of 50% for PTSD is assigned from November 1, 1997 to November 13, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by symptoms such as nightmares, sleep impairment, anger and irritability, anxiety, hypervigilance, depressed mood, intrusive memories, and inability to establish effective relationships. For the entire period of initial rating appeal, these symptoms have not resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and ensuring all relevant evidence has been considered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and a new VA examination. The TDIU portion of his claim will also be addressed.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for hepatitis C and PTSD, but denied both on the merits. The Veteran's hepatitis C is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and therefore grants this claim. The issue of TDIU is not addressed as it is considered 'unknown' due to its nature.

The Veteran's VA compensation benefits were reduced to 10 percent effective May 6, 2008 due to his incarceration for a felony offense.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and granted it, but denied the claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his service-connected PTSD and entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is related to his in-service sexual assault. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is not shown to have been manifested by symptoms productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to May 30, 2012. From May 30, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD is not shown to have been manifested by symptoms productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied as there is no credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor or chronic disability related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, are found to be related to his service-connected alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case on his service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by moderate symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. He has difficulty maintaining social relationships but maintains some contact with his children.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, effective September 24, 2007. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.