PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits for the period from February [redacted], 2000, to May [redacted], 2001 was proper based on the applicable regulations and legislative history.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of February 9, 2005 for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and arranging for a psychiatric examination to determine the severity of his PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, and his TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of evidence showing unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left knee condition, and lumbosacral spine disease, are rated at 100% combined. However, the evidence does not show that these conditions alone render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and consideration of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities was denied as there is no competent evidence of a connection between the conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective from March 26, 1991.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 11, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating of 100 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining private psychiatric records from Drs. Peck and Miller.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a mixed personality disorder, was reopened. Service connection is granted for PTSD due to combat stressors during active duty in Vietnam. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities is rated at 20 percent each.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and the Board finds that this condition is related to an in-service parachute accident, thus granting service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to January 27, 2010 and 50 percent beginning on that date. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for either period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressor. The Veteran is now granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since February 18, 2009. The evidence shows occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to psychiatric symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with Depressive Disorder has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms most nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post concussion syndrome with headaches and dizziness, disfiguring forehead scarring, PTSD, and left knee disability, do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect.