PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD prior to November 1, 2005 and from November 1, 2005 to December 17, 2007 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 1, 2005 or a rating in excess of 50 percent from November 1, 2005 to December 17, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sacrum strain disability, thoracic strain disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder), and seizure disorder. The evidence submitted since the last final denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a diagnosis of chronic PTSD related to an incident during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, was not supported by evidence and denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination and additional relevant treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders and TBI.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's PTSD associated with panic attacks, depression, and alcohol abuse is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are representative of reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and notification on how to substantiate a claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new medical evidence.

The Board finds that there is no credible in-service event or stressor to which the Veteran's psychiatric disability can be linked, and thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely substantive appeal for service connection for PTSD was not filed within the required timeframe, and thus the claim is denied.

Since January 25, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD has not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent due to his symptoms remaining within the range that warrants a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disability including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and cognitive impairment. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's conditions are caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the submission of new evidence without a waiver, and because the issues are intertwined. The case will be reconsidered after all relevant records have been obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no verified in-service stressor and the preponderance of medical evidence does not support a link between his current condition and military service.

Throughout the entire rating period on appeal, the Veteran's PTSD with schizophrenia has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as social anxiety, depression, sleep impairment, irritability, recurrent and distressing recollections, and hypervigilance. The criteria for a disability rating of 50 percent have been met.