PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for this condition. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to January 11, 2012 remains unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as well as any other acquired psychiatric disorders he may have. The case will be returned to the Board after this initial development.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the service-connected PTSD effective from August 27, 2012. The Veteran's symptoms have been characterized as reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 23, 2013, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the right knee disability receiving a higher rating. Service connection was also established for hemorrhoids, liver disorder, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to concerns about the Veteran's suicidal ideations and their impact on his social and industrial activities.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a personality disorder, as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis and a link between his in-service stressor and his current symptoms. The heart disability claim was remanded due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to January 29, 2013 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The compensable rating for the shrapnel wound to the head remains denied.,TDIU is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a TDIU, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee bursitis, initial compensable rating prior to January 8, 2010, and in excess of 10 percent from January 8, 2010, for bilateral pes planus, and entitlement to a compensable initial rating for anemia. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection of PTSD is pending. The Board will review the evidence and determine if new and material evidence has been received, which could potentially allow for a determination on whether PTSD was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to confirm the Veteran's service in Korea and to obtain additional medical records. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be predominantly manifested by sleep impairment, nightmares, irritability, isolative behavior, avoidance behavior, depression, and impaired impulse control. The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his testimony established the occurrence of a claimed in-service stressor and a VA psychologist confirmed a diagnosis of PTSD related to events he experienced during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, a new examination, and consideration of his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, is currently rated at 70 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating due to the lack of total social or industrial impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied her claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathies of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.