PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his bipolar II disorder was not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is not linked to service or his service-connected residuals of frostbite and denied the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10%, 30%, and now 70% since January 24, 1997. The most recent rating decision granted a 70% evaluation effective December 3, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the criteria for mental disorders, due to significant impairment in work and social functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 5, 2011, reflecting total occupational and social impairment due to mental disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 10 percent since November 13, 2009. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an updated opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to various symptoms prior to August 17, 2007. From that date, his PTSD was manifested by total occupational and social impairment.

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

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA vocational rehabilitation file and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and polysubstance abuse in remission, finding that new evidence does not establish a current diagnosis related to his active duty service. The claim for reopening the PTSD claim is granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a head injury, but denied the underlying issue as there is no evidence that the Veteran's current headaches are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability picture.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on combat experience in Vietnam. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and schizoid personality traits, are also considered as part of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation higher than 30 percent for service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, is related to his military service. However, there is no evidence of a current bilateral hernia disability or any residuals from past surgeries.