PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his military service. His mood disorder with major depressive and anxious features is determined to be secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by some difficulty in maintaining social relationships, nightmares and insomnia; obsessional rituals, impaired impulse control, near continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, spatial disorientation, illogical or obscure speech, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. These symptoms do not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and confirming his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since December 8, 2006. Total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD alone was not shown during the appellate term.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 14, 2012. The rating is effective as of that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that his impairment more closely approximates occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 30 percent prior to April 17, 2010, increased to 50 percent from April 17, 2010 to August 31, 2012, and finally increased to 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran's pterygium, cataracts of any type, retinopathy or maculopathy was not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct another VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The case will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board found that there is no evidence of PTSD related to the Veteran's military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be of such severity that it precludes substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since July 7, 2008 and at 70 percent since June 18, 2013. The Board found that the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent have not been met since July 7, 2008, but the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent have not been met since June 18, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Schizophrenia, is related to events in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD was denied as the evidence did not show a current diagnosis of PTSD. The seizure disorder claim is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis and whether any behavior changes may be indicative of a personal assault in service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to notification from his authorized representative prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with depression and anxiety, is attributable to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are primarily manifested by symptoms of nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, sleep disturbance, irritability, outbursts of anger, anxiety, and depression.