PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's depression is found to be service-connected, and the claims for lumps on the arms, skin condition, PTSD, muscle weakness, and allergic rhinitis are all denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing and to handle any additional development or other appropriate action.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to May 17, 2010. Effective May 17, 2010, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in moderate social and occupational impairment from August 22, 1983, to July 14, 1995. From July 15, 1995, to February 22, 2007, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he was demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, which is related to his service, warrants service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection, with no higher rating granted. The appeal is for a higher disability rating.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran served with Bill Barker during his service in Vietnam and to investigate other stressors. The case is remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to assess whether any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, began in or was caused by military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to January 25, 2010 and increased to 70 percent beginning on November 2, 2012.,The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for a TDIU from April 30, 2004 to the present.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the effective date of service connection, which is considered a grant of his claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current state of his PTSD and for obtaining any relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is causally related to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 28, 2011. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused significant occupational and social impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 10 percent for his service-connected chronic anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The Board also finds that service connection is warranted as the appellant's medical opinion supports a finding that the Veteran's PTSD contributed substantially to his death from coronary disease.

The VA determined that there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability and whether it is related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.