PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Board hearing. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for PTSD remain under consideration.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and determined that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a current diagnosis, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and whether he is unemployable due to this condition. The TDIU rating claim is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating claim.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the addition of substantial evidence and his service-connected disabilities meeting the schedular percentage criteria for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a DRO or Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA psychiatric examination. The TDIU claim will be addressed as part of the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting the severity of his symptoms as described in the rating criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since November 25, 2011. He was previously granted a higher rating of 50 percent effective January 18, 2008.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and mood disorder, has been characterized by depression, anxiety, trouble concentrating, episodic passive suicidal and homicidal ideation, nightmares, memory loss, and hyperarousal. For the entire increased rating period, it has not met the criteria for a 70 percent or higher disability rating under DC 9411.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since October 9, 2007 and increased to 70 percent effective March 17, 2011. The claim for a higher initial rating remains before the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since August 1, 2012. His symptoms included chronic sleep impairment, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and suicidal ideation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran's attorney requested a withdrawal of the appeal in November 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective January 21, 2009. His bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression, which are service-connected conditions, contributed to his death by suicide. The medical evidence supports this conclusion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction is held in abeyance.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and new evidence received after the initial decision.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability, is necessary.

The Board found that a chronic back disability was not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.