PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a final effective date of January 11, 2012. The Veteran is now rated at the highest available disability level.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, which constitutes a complete grant of the Veteran's claim. The other issues related to an acquired psychiatric disability and a respiratory disability are remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected PTSD, which is currently rated at 70 percent. As a result, the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of recent treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his PTSD severity and employment status.

The Veteran's PTSD and associated depression have been evaluated at a 30 percent rating since May 5, 2003. The Board finds that the current evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression. The Board finds that the appeal for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of her employment history. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a higher rating for PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran had a current diagnosis of PTSD, related to his military service.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD, effective July 23, 2009. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by social and occupational impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as nightmares, grief, flashbacks, paranoia, emotional outbursts, and panic attacks.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 31, 2008. The Board granted a TDIU based on the evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) was denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other potential causative factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since August 25, 2008. The Board found that the symptoms of his PTSD have not warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing on his claims. No specific service connection theory, exposure basis, or rating assigned was provided in the decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a jaw disorder and there is no competent medical evidence linking any diagnosed jaw disability to service. The claim for service connection for a jaw disorder is denied.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with subclinical posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 70 percent since March 23, 2010. The rating is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizoaffective bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.