PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD with Adjustment Disorder and Depressed Mood has been rated at 50 percent since September 25, 2013, based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 6, 2012. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 50 percent from March 1, 2012 to November 6, 2012 and at 30 percent prior to that.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. However, due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and the need to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disability related to his military service, the case is being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD and Major Depression, is granted service connection due to a link between his combat experiences in Iraq and his current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression with PTSD and panic disorder is related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the impact of his service-connected psychiatric disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain employment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by mild to moderate impairment primarily manifested by such symptoms as nightmares, chronic distressing thoughts, avoidance behavior, anger/irritability, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, autonomic hyperarousal, and sleep disturbances. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is primarily due to his childhood trauma and not related to service, thus denying service connection for PTSD. The claim of increased rating for depressive disorder was also denied as there is no evidence showing an increase in severity beyond what is already provided.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination and determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder with dysthymia and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is etiologically related to service and grants the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The decision is final as it was based on a prior denial of the same claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service combat stressors and grants service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD as no new and material evidence was received, and thus the claim remains denied.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and trochanteric bursitis, left hip; and for service connection for a TBI and migraine headaches with associated facial numbness.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as a nonexistent relationship with family and few social contacts, depressed mood, occasional panic attacks, anxiety with some panic disorder, and partial disorientation to time. For the entire period on appeal, the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD have not been met or approximated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining information about the program administered by Alpha Omega Veterans Services and providing etiological opinions regarding the onset of his left knee disability.