PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Right Ear Hearing Loss) do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as determined by VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent from February 9, 2007 through April 1, 2012. From April 2, 2012, the rating remained at 50 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and anxiety disorder have been granted, with the diagnoses of PTSD being supported by revised criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3). The other conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea are found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The increased rating claims for PTSD and laryngospasms remain pending.,The Veteran has raised concerns about the severity of his PTSD, including continuous panic attacks and depression affecting his ability to function independently and effectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating prior to August 2, 2007, based on symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, hypervigilance, insomnia, nightmares, and memory and insight deficits.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected PTSD did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent, as his symptoms were consistent with reduced reliability and productivity but did not reach the level required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms that more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from December 12, 2008, to February 28, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service sexual assault and harassment, which may support her claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for service connection of a throat disorder claimed as a thyroid condition was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtain relevant medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide the name of the medic whose legs were blown off in April or May 1991, during his tour with the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division, 1st of the 7th Infantry, in Saudi Arabia/Iraq/Kuwait.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran did not meet the minimum criteria for TDIU due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 5, 2013. Beginning on that date, the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities has met the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions and their relationship to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that there are two issues on appeal: service connection for cause of death and nonservice-connected death pension. The appellant is seeking to establish service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which she claims was due to his service-connected PTSD. Further development is needed to provide proper notice and obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's alcohol and substance abuse.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 20, 2009, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the character of the Appellant's service from November 2, 1967 to June 21, 1972 does not constitute a bar to VA benefits due to compelling circumstances.