PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including dysthymic disorder, adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, has been rated at 50 percent since May 22, 2013. This rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective from April 9, 2013. Prior to that date, the rating remained at 30 percent.

The Veteran's major depression with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective from November 10, 2008.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, and his PTSD claim has been granted based on new evidence. The effective date for the PTSD rating is not specified.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to provide addendum opinions from the July 2013 VA examiners regarding hypertension and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran was not found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 2, 2008. From October 2, 2008 to September 11, 2013, the evidence showed that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records, as well as potential development of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, render him unable to engage in or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD that meets DSM-IV criteria.,Service connection for dermatophytosis of the feet was granted based on evidence showing a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case regarding his PTSD claim.

The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a verified stressor and therefore denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's other diagnosed conditions (nonspecific psychosocial stress, depression, and bereavement) were not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for depression and anxiety with stress prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is denied as he does not meet the criteria for loss of use of a foot due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his PTSD and an earlier effective date for PTSD. The decision found that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor of military sexual trauma, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.