PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development, including obtaining court-martial records from 1939 to 1976 and on and after 1976. The case will be readjudicated following these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 30% prior to July 2, 2012, and at 70% since then. The most recent VA examination in July 2012 showed symptoms including depression, anxiety, weekly panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, flattened affect, disturbance of motivation and mood, difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder, psychosis and anxiety was denied. The issue of service connection for arthritis was also denied.,The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claim for residuals of a back injury was granted. Service connection for the condition was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from January 28, 2005 to April 14, 2009. The Board found that the evidence showed occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired short- and long-term memory, and disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with anxiety and depression, is related to an inservice personal assault. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to combat exposure in Vietnam, and his tinnitus of the left ear is also service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by symptoms such as irritability, nightmares, chronic sleep impairment, and loss of concentration. These symptoms have caused some occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD, currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has determined that further development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and skin rashes has been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims, and established that the Veteran currently suffers from PTSD related to his in-service stressors. Service connection was also granted for skin rashes based on a December 2011 psychological evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for PTSD and a bilateral hip condition prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the withdrawal of an appeal for asthma by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and associated alcoholism contributed substantially to his death from respiratory failure, sepsis, malnutrition, and alcoholism. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before the Board. No new evaluations or ratings are decided upon in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy, atherosclerotic aorta by X-ray, erectile dysfunction, and kidney/liver disorders have been denied. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is shown to be productive of a disability picture that equates to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal). The criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting mild symptoms that decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks during periods of significant stress. The GAF score remains within the 61-70 range, indicating mild symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for PTSD and Chronic Wound.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is as likely as not related to his active service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor, and thus the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examination.