PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of current PTSD during the pendency of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and for further adjudication of his claims, including the issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to April 26, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms productive of occupational and social impairment most comparable to deficiencies in most areas, including an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The disorder has not been productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability, as required for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 21, 2006. Prior to this date, the disability picture associated with his PTSD most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has decided to reconsider the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, and a bilateral knee disorder. The new evidence submitted since the previous denial includes relevant official service department records not previously considered. As such, these claims are reopened. However, no new evidence was found that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder or tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient consideration of certain medical evaluations and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being evaluated again.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The claims are pending.

For the period prior to February 26, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by problems with memory, self-esteem, nightmares, flashbacks, anger, difficulty with relationships, hyperarousal, avoidance symptoms, depression, flashbacks, and isolation.,From February 26, 2009 to January 7, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by difficulty in relationships, hesitant speech with some thought blocking and constricted affect, irritability and depression, panic attacks related to intrusive thoughts, poor concentration and attention, depression, anxiety, and thoughts of unworthiness.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records, as these records may contain relevant evidence for the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD can be decided.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 30, 2004. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and denied his claim for a TDIU prior to February 13, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a VA examination. The issue remains whether he should receive an increased rating for PTSD with depression.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent effective August 28, 2008. The rating is maintained as of June 28, 2010, when the disability picture more nearly approximated a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from February 27, 1981 to September 3, 2002.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to service and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with mood disorder and anxiety symptoms is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be caused by his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for service connection is granted.