PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding his respiratory disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with difficulties in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, and mood. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial disability evaluation of 70 percent, but no higher, for PTSD have been met for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his initial grant of service connection. The rating reflects total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records of his treatment for PTSD and insomnia, arranging for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, and issuing a SOC addressing entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 25, 2008 to July 25, 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding his claimed personal assault during service.

The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran's psychiatric disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and left foot gunshot wound residuals) are reasonably shown to have been of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in any regular substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that it is related to his military service.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development of his stressor events and a VA examination. The Veteran has reported multiple in-service stressors that may be related to his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder does not cause total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive an increased evaluation for PTSD and if he qualifies for TDIU based on his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 29, 2010. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD has been withdrawn by his attorney.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his combined disability evaluation is 60 percent, which does not meet the minimum percentage requirements. The RO/AMC must refer the Veteran's TDIU claim to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for consideration of assignment of an extra-schedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no credible evidence of a head injury or neck injury during his active duty. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in service.,There is also no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, acid reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or seizure disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and attempting to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Albert.