PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms producing no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to impaired memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not support a finding that he meets the criteria for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development, including obtaining VA treatment records from October 2006 to July 2010. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, is now pending and will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency prior to August 30, 2012 and currently manifests with occasional suicidal ideation, nightmares, and impaired impulse control. The Board found that the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent have not been met prior to August 30, 2012, but did find that the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent have not been met from August 30, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the initial ratings of migraine headaches, PTSD, and asthma.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted, with the condition being found to be directly related to his military service. His claim for hypertension remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since January 16, 2010. The effective date for the TDIU rating remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the relationship between his service-connected headaches and any current acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service, including physical assaults and alleged sexual assault during service.

The VA has granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD effective May 5, 2004, due to severe impairment in thought processes and communication.

The Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, headaches, rheumatism (claimed as leg cramps), residuals of a head injury, restless leg syndrome, insomnia secondary to PTSD, hypertension secondary to PTSD, right jaw disability, right eye disability, bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, stomach disability, and corneal abrasion of the left eye have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the appeal was filed, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection claim for PTSD.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, head injury with migraines, or PTSD with depression.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating, as his symptoms did not consistently warrant the next highest evaluation of 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased rating for PTSD and a claim for TDIU due to PTSD. The Board has remanded both matters for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination.

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a scar from a mortar fragment wound in the right arm, caused or contributed to his death from a traumatic subarachnoid hematoma.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a current diagnosis, no in-service stressors, and insufficient evidence linking his symptoms to service. The claim for hypertension was also denied as there is no evidence showing it was caused by or related to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.