PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a comprehensive VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and atypical anxiety disorder, is related to his service due to a stressor involving an attack by police dogs during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to various symptoms. The Board found that the criteria for a 70 percent rating were met for the period from February 26, 2008 to October 8, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 24, 2004. The March 2013 decision granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective from the same date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD results in flattened affect, impairment of short- and long-term memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Board finds that the criteria for a 50 percent initial evaluation are met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, as his symptoms have reportedly worsened since his last examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and schedule a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service sexual assaults and her current PTSD diagnosis. The Veteran will be provided with notice about corroborating evidence, and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine if her PTSD is related to her claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's stressors meet the criterion under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3) for service connection of PTSD based on in-service personal assault. The case is also remanded to obtain Social Security Administration records and any available Article 15 record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his other psychiatric conditions are not service connected.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability (GERD and PUD) is currently rated at 10 percent, which approximates the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, which also approximates the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including consideration of recent amendments to the regulations regarding PTSD claims and a September 2012 addendum to a December 2011 VA psychiatric examination report.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for the Veteran's kidney disability, sinus disability, hypertension, back disability, multiple joint disability (including arthritis), and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, effective September 24, 2007. The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for the entire initial rating period.

The Board found that the evidence did not establish a direct service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim was denied as there is no clear and convincing evidence to contradict her lay testimony regarding in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is causally related to his service and depression is as likely as not caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial PTSD rating prior to September 7, 2012 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Beginning September 7, 2012, his PTSD is rated at 70 percent.