PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing. His claims of service connection and increased rating for PTSD are still pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that his disability picture does not warrant a higher evaluation as he currently experiences reduced reliability and productivity but no deficiencies in most areas such as work or family relations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of an initial rating greater than 70 percent for service-connected PTSD and entitlement to TDIU prior to September 6, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms including occupational and social impairment with no more than occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD was incurred in active service.

The Veteran's SMC claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if her service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for aid and attendance of another person or render her housebound.

The Board found that there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, and therefore the claim for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple orthopedic conditions, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board grants TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and assigned a 70 percent rating effective October 6, 2008. The appeal is limited to the initial evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing at the appropriate RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge by videoconference at the St. Petersburg VA Regional Office.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressors, including physical and verbal assaults by his mess sergeant during service, could not be verified. As a result, the claim for PTSD based on these events was denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 18, 1986 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The claim for earlier effective date for TDIU is being remanded due to additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD and other mental health conditions have been rated based on their direct service connection, but the initial rating for PTSD has not met the criteria for a higher than 50 percent evaluation. The Veteran's hepatitis condition remains at zero percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his heart disease and lupus, are considered to have played a role in contributing to the cause of death from acute myelocytic leukemia (AML).

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with an examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his active service.