PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. His posttraumatic headaches are rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as restricted affect, depressed mood, anxiety, social impairment, and chronic nightmares and sleep impairment that approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The criteria for a higher disability rating have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for PTSD, service connection for diabetes mellitus, and arthritis of the neck, spine, knees, and hands is dismissed as his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has already been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since July 12, 2007. The Board finds that the severity of his symptoms warrants a higher rating from August 19, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI have been rated as 30 percent prior to June 20, 2012 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been shown to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The issue is now on remand for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from July 18, 2005 to October 10, 2006 has been withdrawn. The case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA mental health examination to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder. The claim for service connection for alcohol abuse as secondary to service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety symptoms and bipolar disorder are found to be related to his service in Vietnam, including the TET Offensive. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed Vietnam service and to determine if he was exposed to any stressors in service. The case will be readjudicated after these actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in its previous decisions regarding service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Veteran's lay statements of having experienced these conditions since service are being considered, along with VA examination reports.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate his PTSD and left arm sensory defect disability. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for these conditions are also being addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a diagnosis of PTSD based on an in-service traumatic event or stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling as of April 16, 2009, with symptoms including nightmares, sleep disturbance, intrusive thoughts, depression, and avoidance of crowds. The disability has resulted in occupational and social impairment but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has requested additional development regarding a reported stressor involving the suicide of a major in late 1974 to early 1975, and is asking for further verification from the Army Crime Records Center.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for hyperpituitarism, increases in the ratings assigned for PTSD, and entitlement to a compensable rating for contact dermatitis and eczema. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is recharacterized.