PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether his current psychiatric disorders are related to service. The appeal is currently pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warranted a 100% disability rating prior to January 15, 2010 due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and the VA examiners determined his symptoms were more likely attributable to ADHD and specific phobia with obsessive compulsive features.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder contributed substantially or materially to cause his death, resulting in a grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD continues, and the case is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD. Additionally, a TDIU claim requires a VA examination assessing the impact of all service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is not shown to have been incurred in, aggravated by, or causally related to his period of recognized active service with the Special Philippine Scouts. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective April 7, 2011. The rating reflects the severity of symptoms such as suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, and impaired impulse control.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, occasional depression, sleep disturbance, social isolation, avoidant behavior, anger, hypervigilance, irritability, and feeling uncomfortable in crowds. This is productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, requiring further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, effective December 1, 2006. The Board has also granted a TDIU prior to August 28, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of his diagnoses and their relationship to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal and acquired psychiatric disorders are not service-connected, as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with verifying a claimed in-service stressor and obtaining relevant medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, will be reconsidered after additional development.

Service connection for dry eyes is granted. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder is granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent effective June 1, 2008. A compensable evaluation for the period on appeal through July 5, 2009, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the period on appeal beginning July 6, 2009, for service-connected right foot heel spur and Achilles enthesopathy with right ankle musculoligamentous strain is granted. A higher evaluation for a psychiatric disorder remains.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current psychiatric disability related to service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner must consider the Veteran's in-service treatment for insomnia and his reports of depression or excessive worry.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder was rated at 30 percent since the effective date of service connection.,The shell fragment wounds of the right thigh were rated at 10 percent, with each scar rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to consider the issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, including consideration of TDIU prior to October 18, 2007. The case must be readjudicated and a supplemental statement of the case provided.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD meets the requirements for a schedular TDIU since September 14, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, and alcohol dependence have been granted a 70% disability evaluation effective February 11, 2008. He is also awarded TDIU benefits as of August 15, 2005.