PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable colon syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity have been withdrawn by the authorized representative. The claims of increased ratings for residuals of a right index finger disability, GERD, fibromyalgia, non-cardiac chest pain due to undiagnosed illness, rhinitis with sinusitis, skin disorder (including tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and psuedofolliculitis barbae), and onychomycosis of the toenails have been granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD, depression, and agoraphobia was granted with an effective date of March 11, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine the current level of severity of his service-connected PTSD and whether he is unemployable due to that disability. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as an opinion on the overall effects of his service-connected disability on his employability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's Army Reserve duty and records from Social Security Administration and Dr. J.A.J..

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to his combat experiences in Vietnam, and he is granted service connection for this condition. His depression is also considered as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted for the period prior to June 6, 2011, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by ongoing symptoms of anxiety, depression, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping due to nightmares, irritability, panic attacks, crying spells, impaired memory, difficulty with impulse control, problems with concentration, and social isolation, resulting in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD from January 23, 2004, to August 23, 2010.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran currently suffers from PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder resulting from active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The Veteran will be scheduled for another VA examination to determine if he suffers from an acquired psychiatric disability and whether any such disability is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied service connection for this condition. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorder, were also considered but no new or material evidence was presented to reopen these claims.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain verification of a motor vehicle accident reported by the Veteran that occurred in February or March of 1968, as this may be related to his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and determination regarding the provision of additional payment for woodworking tools under a Department of Veterans Affairs independent living services program.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted and rated at 30 percent, but his disability rating was increased to 50 percent as of the date of claim. The Board found that prior to July 2012, the Veteran's symptoms warranted a 50 percent disability rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. As of July 2012, he met criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service. However, the relationship between his other diagnosed psychiatric disorders and his military service or service-connected PTSD remains unclear.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50% and later increased to 70%. The initial rating for his left hip disability was noncompensable, but has since been increased to 10%.,Both conditions have seen changes in ratings over time.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD remains on appeal, as does his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.