PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that his diagnosis was due to his own willful misconduct during military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for PTSD, satisfied with the grant of major depressive disorder and a 50% initial rating.

The Veteran does not have PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder that is related to military service, and there is no corroborating evidence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective November 10, 2004. He was granted a TDIU rating based on service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease, effective August 30, 2008. SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was not productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to January 4, 2011. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent for the period from November 18, 2005 to September 27, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and narrowing the time period of alleged stressor events.

The Board has remanded the claims due to issues with notification and further development is needed for the posttraumatic stress disorder claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus were denied by the Board. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from March 31, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder and cervical strain, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The VA has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and additional development of the record, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records. The primary issues are an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since August 29, 2008. The rating is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent prior to September 18, 2009 and increased to 50 percent effective from September 18, 2009.,The RO is considering both the initial rating for PTSD prior to September 18, 2009 and a higher rating on or after that date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent from June 15, 2004 to April 4, 2007 and at 70 percent from April 5, 2007 to December 27, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to December 5, 2011 resulted in symptoms such as depressed and/or anxious mood, restricted affect, irritability, exaggerated startle response, chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, few social relationships, and impaired work and social functioning. These symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, depression, and psychosis NOS, is not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the pre-existing psychiatric disorders did not increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 4, 2012.