PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred during active service. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and assigned a 30 percent initial disability rating effective from September 9, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to his military service. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to assess his current mental health status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of recurrence or metastasis and his symptoms are consistent with a 20 percent rating for urinary frequency.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claim may be finally adjudicated. Specifically, VA should attempt to obtain outstanding private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination to better assist him in the development of his claim.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied the underlying claim as there is no established service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant impairment, but not to the extent that it would warrant a total disability rating. The Board found that prior to May 2, 2002, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet criteria for a 100% evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but also did not meet criteria for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not result in such an outcome. The Board therefore determined that the Veteran's claim was denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on both issues, and therefore the cases are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from December 19, 2002 to July 5, 2004. The evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to his psychiatric symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, cannot be granted as his reported stressor is found to be a result of his own willful misconduct.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD service connection claim is granted, and his right knee disability is rated at 30 percent from June 11, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by symptoms most comparable to reduced reliability and productivity from April 9, 2008, through April 7, 2013. The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to February 15, 2006 and increased to 50 percent beginning on February 15, 2006. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 9, 2011 is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence regarding his employability.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent effective June 17, 2013, the date of VA evaluation. This is due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not have its onset in service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of reasons and bases for the denial of a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and addressing his TDIU claim.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The kidney disability claim remains denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen it.