PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed PTSD and depression were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The diagnosis of PTSD is also questionable due to inconsistencies in medical records.

The Board denied service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD, finding no evidence of in-service psychiatric problems or continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's TMJ was also not found to be related to his service-connected condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his service, and therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is of service origin and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his through and through bullet wound of the right thigh with femur fracture and muscle damage was denied as there is no evidence that this condition involves Muscle Group XVII.,The Veteran's PTSD was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to November 29, 2012. As of that date, his PTSD has not been manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective October 1, 1999, through November 5, 2012. The rating is in accordance with the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation due to deficiencies in most areas caused by PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on an in-service personal assault, and also grants service connection for major depressive disorder and schizoaffective disorder.,Service connection is denied for acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and chronic major depression was denied as her claimed conditions are not related to any period of active duty or inactive duty training.

The Veteran's PTSD (now characterized as anxiety disorder) is currently rated at 70 percent, effective September 13, 2005. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as due to herbicide exposure was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD and his MDD is not related to his period of active military service, but has been attributed to non-service-related factors.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating for the Veteran's PTSD, effective January 16, 2008. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of whether referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension may be necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, were found to be severe enough to prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 10, 2011. However, the criteria for a TDIU before that date were not met due to his combined disability rating being less than 60%.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent disabling for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension was withdrawn. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left knee disorder is denied as there is no evidence of an additional disability caused by participation in the VA compensated work therapy program. Service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 30, 2009. The Board found that his symptoms warranted a 70% rating throughout the appeal period but did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating due to some social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the existence of PTSD and the etiology of any current psychiatric disability, including whether they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the issues related to PTSD rating and TDIU. The appellant's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and denial of his claim for TDIU are being addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for neurosis and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's conditions are secondary to her service-connected fibromyalgia.