PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability and does not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues and additional evidence. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD will be readjudicated after the TDIU claim is also reviewed.

The Board found that the service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, as there was no evidence linking his death to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation as he does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have been rated at 70 percent since January 5, 2012. The disability ratings are based on the severity of symptoms and their impact on daily functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD causes no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency at all times during the pendency of the appeal, warranting a non-compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective July 22, 2011. The RO has granted a higher rating for PTSD from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and consider all relevant evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for hypertension and kidney disability due to herbicide exposure, as well as his claim for an enlarged aorta and aneurysm were denied. The Veteran's bilateral ear disability other than left ear hearing loss and tinnitus was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for her acquired neuropsychiatric disorder, anxiety disorder NOS with features of atypical panic symptoms and PTSD and depressive disorder NOS was granted. The effective date for this grant is December 8, 1994.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to May 2, 2011 and at 50 percent thereafter. The Board has determined that the increase in rating from 30% to 50% was warranted as of May 2, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records, verifying stressors, and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and extent of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current PTSD symptoms and their impact on his employment and daily activities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and confirming his reported stressors. He will also be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD and whether it is related to service. Additionally, he will undergo a VA general medical examination to assess the severity of his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and SSA SSI records, as well as inpatient or 'clinical' service treatment records from Ireland Army Community Hospital. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent disability evaluation for PTSD effective May 5, 2010. The initial rating period prior to this date remains under review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updating the record with any recent VA treatment records. The case will be reviewed to determine if service connection can be granted for his claimed psychiatric disorders.