PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 50 percent, effective June 25, 2005. The Board has granted a higher rating to 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, are related to his service-connected panic disorder without agoraphobia.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and a lung condition due to asbestos exposure are also being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and a psychotic disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The Board has also granted the requested TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and addressing his claim of entitlement to TDIU. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical and development of VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the nature and extent of his PTSD and gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial higher ratings for PTSD, scar status post laminectomy and chronic capsulitis of the left foot.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 50 percent from October 6, 2003 to July 17, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and an opinion regarding his employability.

The Veteran's claim for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and a mood disorder, is granted. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to support the diagnosis of PTSD related to witnessing deaths at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and service connection is established. For the mood disorder, the Board concludes that it is caused by the now-service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities reasonably result in his requiring assistance with a number of his activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and food preparation, and he requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance are met.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination for psychiatric disability. The issues of TDIU and upper back, low back, heart disease, and hypertension are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right ankle injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the claims, including consideration of TDIU.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, related to his service. The Veteran also needs a determination on whether any preexisting psychiatric condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and for a VA examination. The claims of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, hepatitis C, and psychiatric disorder are all pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records, addressing the appellant's contentions of an in-service assault leading to PTSD, and considering his entitlement to service connection.