PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and a VA examination to assess the Veteran's PTSD. The TDIU claim is also being addressed.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed PTSD. The VA examiner found no evidence of current psychiatric disorders other than alcohol dependence and substance-induced mood disorder.,There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA medical records, as well as SSA and private disability records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new VA examination to determine whether there is evidence of behavior changes in response to an in-service personal assault. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left eye disorders, as well as his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is dismissed because he is already eligible for special monthly compensation.

As of February 2, 2011, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has not caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since August 20, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service stressors. Service connection is also granted for hypertension as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, is currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal for a higher rating has been granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The status of the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and degenerative disc disease, also characterized as low back disability, is unknown due to lack of evidence.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder and psychosis NOS, are related to a sexual assault during active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective as of the date of this decision. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 4, 2009, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for his service-connected PTSD with major depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, reviewing service treatment records from the Veteran's second period of active duty, and obtaining a clarifying opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was denied in November 1997 due to lack of verifiable evidence, but reopened and granted with the submission of new evidence regarding an inservice stressor.,PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since December 23, 2003.