PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a reported stressor and requests for records from the Judge Advocate General.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining morning reports from the Veteran's unit regarding his alleged absence on February 7 and 8, 1973. The claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence received.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since February 6, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms of anxiety, impaired impulse control, and difficulty establishing effective relationships meet the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to consider whether service connection should be granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to September 5, 2012 and increased to 70 percent from that date. The current rating of 70 percent is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and procedural issues, requiring further development before service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder can be adjudicated.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has again remanded the Veteran's claim for further development due to incomplete records from July 2002 through July 2010 and December 2013 to the present.

The case is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and PTSD. The TDIU claim will be deferred pending resolution of these issues.

The Veteran's clinical signs and symptoms of PTSD are characterized by sleep disturbance, periodic depression, suspiciousness, irritability, and social avoidance. This results in no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating due to total occupational and social impairment. The current 70% rating adequately reflects his disability level.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his award of TDIU was denied.,The Veteran withdrew the issue regarding whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim for service connection under 38 U.S.C.A. ¶ 1151 for a cardiovascular disability.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from December 14, 2007, to October 18, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation during this period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule new VA examinations for his PTSD and right shoulder disability, and attempt to obtain SSA records. The claims will be readjudicated based on the evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since July 5, 2011. A rating of 50 percent is granted for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's left inguinal hernia with mesh repair is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including verification of stressors related to his service on Midway Island and additional medical examination or opinion if appropriate. The claims will be adjudicated again in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim of service connection for PTSD can be adjudicated. The Veteran's claim will be remanded to allow for further investigation and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for updated examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating.