PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran currently has a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, that had its onset during his period of active duty military service. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 18, 2011. The Board found that a rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted for any period of time since November 20, 2008.

The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death due to metastatic melanoma.

The Veteran's claim for increased PTSD rating and TDIU prior to November 1, 2012 is being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records from G.R., M.S. dated January to February 2009 and clarify whether his service-connected PTSD alone or in conjunction with other disabilities rendered him unable to secure substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical opinion to ensure compliance with the August 2012 remand instructions and allow the physician the opportunity to review the entire evidence of record, including the terminal hospital records from the Lost Creek Care Center.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, resulted in a combined rating of 70 percent. The Board granted entitlement to a TDIU rating from November 19, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including securing updated VA treatment records and arranging a PTSD examination.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including PTSD rating and service connection for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, but not to the extent that it would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, residuals of a cold injury to the feet, nerve damage to the feet, pneumonia, or hyperlipidemia (claimed as a blood disorder) incurred in service. As such, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression have been found to meet the criteria for a 100 percent schedular rating, which represents total occupational impairment. The claim of entitlement to TDIU has also been granted based on the service-connected PTSD.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder other than his service-connected PTSD, and therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and therefore service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD based on the verified stressor involving the USS Pine Island typhoon. The VA examiner's opinion was persuasive, and there is no evidence of PTSD in the medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent evaluation prior to February 3, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent since September 4, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine the appropriate rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims for PTSD service connection and an increased evaluation for major depressive disorder have been dismissed.