PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. This includes obtaining records of any NIS investigations related to military sexual trauma incidents in service, as well as seeking private treatment records from Dr. S. and other providers.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional records, as his PTSD symptoms have worsened.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD results in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100% evaluation.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he contends is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities of diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and/or coronary artery disease. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, and mood due to symptoms including recurrent Vietnam-related intrusive thoughts in the form of nightmares and flashbacks; hypervigilance; suicidal thoughts; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances; and impaired impulse control. The Board finds that for the entire rating period PTSD has been productive of occasional suicidal ideation, sleep disturbance with nightmares, anxiety, suspiciousness, difficulty concentrating, impaired impulse control, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances resulting in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his service and fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, hypervigilance, social avoidance, irritability, and occasional flashbacks. The Board finds that the symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher 50 percent rating under DC 9411.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from April 16, 2004 to May 10, 2011, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain and consider his treatment records from a 2010 psychiatrist, as well as an addendum to the June 2011 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, are related to his service in Vietnam. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 4, 2004. The rating is in accordance with the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Veteran's appeal for eligibility for nonservice-connected pension has been dismissed. The Board is remanding the remaining claims of service connection, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and TDIU for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and reconsideration by the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development to ensure that he is provided legally adequate notice regarding his PTSD claim, especially regarding substantiating a PTSD claim based on in-service personal assault. The case will also be remanded for further psychiatric examination and review of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) since January 19, 2011. The TDIU claim is also granted.