PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's claimed stressors are consistent with his service and whether he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to provide additional evidence or information, and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. This includes obtaining a stressor statement from the Veteran and scheduling her for a VA examination to determine if she meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD related to her reported in-service sexual assault or fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only has been granted due to the loss of use of at least one foot as a result of service-connected disabilities. The issue of reopening the sterility claim is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for cervical and lumbar spine conditions, as well as PTSD. The evidence received since previous decisions did not meet the criteria for reopening these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder have been granted, along with a TDIU. Her combined disability rating is now 70 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic acquired psychiatric disability to include an adjustment disorder NOS or PTSD at the time of filing, and concluded that service connection is not warranted. The issue of TDIU remains unresolved as there was insufficient information provided regarding the appellant's current employment status.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD or other mental illness, including depressive disorder. The remaining claims of service connection for testicular cancer and BPH, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's PTSD disability picture does not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment, as his symptoms do not include 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, disorientation to time or place, memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation or own name.

The case is being remanded for further development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation of GERD and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress. The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent rating have not been demonstrated for any period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since August 9, 2004. The current evidence does not support an increase in the evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to December 17, 2011. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met and denied his claim. He is currently rated as 50 percent disabled for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD was not shown. Therefore, a 70 percent evaluation is granted for the period from July 18, 2009 to December 15, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted, with the effective date set at December 31, 1997.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and considering his claim for TDIU. The increased rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the nature and etiology of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's claimed conditions, such as spine disorder, neurological impairment, heart disease, Graves' disease, headaches, dizziness, and numbness in the legs. The appellant is also scheduled for a psychiatric examination to address any PTSD or depression.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his PTSD with major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing at the RO. The service connection for PTSD remains unchanged with an initial 30 percent disability rating effective March 20, 2008.