PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities did not manifest during his period of active military service and are not otherwise related to such service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with dysthymia prior to July 6, 2011 is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling prior to December 12, 2011 and 70 percent disabling thereafter. The Board has found that the criteria for a 70 percent rating are met throughout the claims period.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and supplemental statements of the case do not comply with the April 2012 remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia and PTSD, must be remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders other than PTSD did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and any such conditions are unrelated to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 10 percent since November 2, 2007. The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent rating effective from November 2, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. His bilateral hearing loss was also evaluated but did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD on an extraschedular basis and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete evidence in the record. The Veteran will be provided with additional time to submit any relevant treatment records, and a VA examiner will provide opinions regarding marked interference with employment and whether his combined service-connected disability(ies) render him unable to follow a substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by suicidal thoughts, decreased energy, anhedonia, depressed mood, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, intrusive thoughts, restricted range of affect, irritability or outbursts of anger, feeling of detachment or estrangement from others, marked diminished interest or participation in significant activities and sense of a foreshortened future. The Veteran's PTSD resulted in functional impairment comparable to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent for purposes of accrued benefits, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, is related to active military service.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD as of January 10, 2012 and found the Veteran meets criteria for TDIU.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to clarify the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and major depressive disorder. The examination must consider the Veteran's stressors, symptoms, and assertions regarding his service experience.

Service connection for the thoracolumbar spine disability is granted, with an initial 30 percent rating effective from August 30, 2007. Increased ratings are denied for the cervical spine and PTSD prior to March 7, 2011, as well as TDIU prior to October 13, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to reassess the severity of his PTSD. His right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis claim has been withdrawn due to receipt of a higher rating.

The appellant does not have recognized Federal service and therefore does not meet the requirements of basic eligibility for VA benefits. As a result, his claims are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 29, 2008. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective from that date due to total occupational impairment.