PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his combined rating is at least 80 percent. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are met from August 20, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development including obtaining SSA records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and psychosis not otherwise specified, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence related to his claimed stressors in service.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound residuals involving Muscle Group V are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5305.,PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent and the Veteran seeks a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA/medical records. A VA examination will be scheduled to evaluate the status of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD or other psychiatric disorders that were incurred in service. The clinical evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no indication of such a condition during her military service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and TDIU were not addressed. The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 26, 2011, but granted a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD since that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and for a skin disability were denied as there is no credible evidence of the claimed stressors or any current diagnosed conditions being related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for review of additional evidence provided by a VA psychologist, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and severity of his PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to October 16, 2008, is also addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 20, 2010, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been denied, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider this issue as there is no Notice of Disagreement or Substantive Appeal filed with respect to the September 2012 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected residuals of a right facial zygomatic fracture, to include pain and headaches, was denied. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder were granted earlier than January 14, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder was granted, effective October 30, 2003.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss. The Board grants an initial 30 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder. The decision concluded that his current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 28, 2010, for a 50% disability evaluation for his psychiatric disorder is granted. The effective date was determined based on the fact that the Veteran became entitled to this rating on June 28, 2010, when he began reporting for VA psychotherapy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD and an increased rating for residuals of a left thigh sfw are being remanded due to the need for further development by the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.