PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD has been rated at a 50 percent disability rating since November 16, 1994. This reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depression, anger, avoidance, isolation, and difficulty in establishing effective relationships.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed stressors, provide another examination, and consider the updated version of VA regulations.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 15, 2009. The rating is based on the criteria for a higher evaluation of the original award.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a sleep disorder) are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during his period of creditable active military service or otherwise related to such service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and concluded that his psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The spinal stenosis and spondylosis were also denied as there was insufficient evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's claim for increases in PTSD ratings and an earlier effective date for service connection were denied. The Board found that the September 2003 denial of service connection was final, and there was no new or material evidence received within one year to reopen the claim prior to December 4, 2007.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is causally related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental disorder, as defined by the DSM-IV. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depression without psychotic features, requires further development due to inconsistencies in diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to June 28, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from August 1, 2008 to December 20, 2012. A TDIU rating was granted effective July 28, 2011.

The Veteran's depression is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's disease. The Veteran does not have PTSD that is related to active duty.

The Board found no verified military stressor event, and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD). The Veteran's claim of diabetes mellitus, type II, is also denied due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are both pending. The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis.,Regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder, the Board found that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether it was incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The left leg varicose veins are currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective June 13, 2008.,Claims to reopen for mitral valve prolapse, headaches, generalized joint pain, right leg varicose veins, bipolar disorder, PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than bipolar disorder and PTSD have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a personal hearing before the Board at his local RO.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 1, 2007, for the grant of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was granted. The Veteran had been diagnosed with PTSD and his claim was related to his Gulf War service.