PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation of PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to April 13, 2009 and increased to 70 percent after that date. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective from April 7, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been evaluated as 70 percent disabling throughout the appeal period, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, alcohol abuse secondary to PTSD, and pancreatitis secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of PTSD, DJD, and cervical spondylosis have been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the history and etiology of his current psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence in sustained full remission is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be manifested by depression, alcohol abuse, intrusive thoughts, insomnia, decreased energy, hypervigilance, angry outbursts, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, exaggerated startle response, irritable affect, and impaired concentration. The Board denied the claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from April 18, 2012 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a PTSD review examination. The issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for a low back disability will be addressed in a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD, effective from the date of the claim. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability with secondary sciatic nerve disability is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination and additional records from 'Lutheran Services'. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of updated private treatment records.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, with PTSD features and episodic cannabis abuse secondary to PTSD, is currently evaluated at 50 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claim due to insufficient detail in the VA mental health examination report, and further development is needed before deciding on the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and there are no unusual or exceptional disability factors warranting referral of the Veteran's claim for TDIU for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and aggravation of a personality disorder, was aggravated by service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to March 3, 2004, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to October 16, 2004 manifested by reduced reliability and productivity due to anxiety, angering easily, having poor sleep and having a strained relationship with his wife. For the period from October 16, 2004 to January 10, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms manifested by deficiencies in most areas due to an inability to work, anger outbursts, anxiety, sleep issues, irritability, isolation, nightmares, generalized anxiety, lethargy, and anger problems affecting his marriage.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD is likely to have caused his hypertension, and thus grants service connection for hypertension.