PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest available level of disability, a 70 percent evaluation, due to significant occupational and social impairment. The left varicocele is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. She was unable to establish and maintain effective work and social relationships, perform activities of daily living (intermittently), maintain effective family role functioning, maintain any long term employment, or perform recreation or leisure pursuits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but without total occupational and social impairment. The disability is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected PTSD, differentiate symptoms attributed to PTSD from those attributable to other psychiatric disorders, and assess whether he is unemployable due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was upheld, as the disability is already at its maximum schedular level under Diagnostic Code 6260. A separate compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was also denied due to lack of penile deformity.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a final decision can be rendered on the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues related to scars on the head, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, melanoma and dental condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 9, 2009. The Board finds that the disability picture does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse was granted in a July 2011 rating decision. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, which is manifested by symptoms such as depression, irritability, panic attacks, concentration and memory problems, some impairment of relationships with others, reports of suicidal ideation, and difficulty adapting to stressful situations, results in deficiencies in most areas but less than total social and occupational impairment. The criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent have been met.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms, including sleep impairment, nightmares, anxiety, and depression. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Education file, recent VA clinical records, and a VA psychiatric examination. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, was not shown to have been manifested in service or for the first year after service separation and is not shown to have been caused or aggravated by his military service or any events therein.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD as a result of an in-service stressor and that any other acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, major depression, adjustment disorder, etc., was first manifested many years after discharge from active duty and is unrelated to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a schizoaffective disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially to his death due to cardiac arrest from coronary artery disease (CAD). The opinions provided by VA doctors concluded that there was no causal link between the Veteran's PTSD and his fatal heart condition.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, which is considered a direct service connection as it was found to be causally related to his fear of hostile military activity during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right eye corneal scar were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is not etiologically related to service or service-connected migraine headaches, and diagnoses of PTSD are not based upon verified stressors in service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since August 22, 2012. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 50 percent.