PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence, including private treatment records. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to ensure that he is accorded full compliance with the statutory duty to assist and for a new VA examination. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in mostly sad mood swings, recurring nightmares, crying episodes, depressed mood, narrow and constricted affect, non-persistent paranoid delusions, insomnia, panic attacks about once per month, suicidal ideation, irritability, mildly impaired recent memory, recurrent and distressing recollections of his Vietnam combat stressor, intense psychological distress at exposure to cues of the traumatic event, avoidance of thoughts or stimuli associated with the trauma, inability to recall an important aspect of the trauma, feelings of detachment or estrangement from others, hypervigilance, including sleeping on the floor near the door to make sure that no one enters his home, exaggerated startle response, flashbacks, depression, inability to sustain an intimate relationship, anxiety, concentration and memory impairment, anger which has caused impulsivity and led to physical altercations, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. These symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and finds that a diagnosis of PTSD is warranted, as it was linked to an assault during his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran meets the full criteria for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), are etiologically related to her military service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to consider any acquired psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive/compulsive disorder, depression, and a 'thought disorder'.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

Prior to August 31, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by GAF scores of 55 to 60; suicidal or homicidal ideation, illogical speech, a near-continuous panic or depression affecting independent function, impaired impulse control with periods of violence, spatial disorientation, or neglect of personal appearance were not demonstrated.,From August 31, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by GAF scores of 50 to 60; gross impairment of thought process or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, disorientation as to time or place, or memory loss for basic concepts such as his own name or the names of family members were not demonstrated.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service. The claim for tendon damage of left hand fingers was denied as well.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, dysthymia, and major depressive disorder, was found to have its onset in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and obtaining VA treatment records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a TBI and PTSD examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not been shown to warrant a higher rating, as they do not meet the criteria for a 50 percent or higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of February 26, 2010. The Board grants an effective date of February 26, 2010 for the award of a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and ensuring completion of any other necessary development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a qualifying DSM-IV diagnosis of PTSD and an in-service stressor sufficient to cause PTSD has not been verified. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, was denied.