PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and found that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressor. The Veteran now meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claimed mental disorders, including PTSD, are not shown to be related to his military service. The Board found that the diagnoses of schizotypal personality disorder, OCD, anxiety, and depression were not established during service or due to combat exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including determining if the Veteran's service-connected PTSD is permanent in nature and obtaining a medical opinion regarding the necessity of immediate medical attention.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 29, 2012. The Board found that the evidence prior to this date did not warrant a higher rating due to less severe symptoms than those required for a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired mental disorder, specifically major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, has not met the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which reflects the most severe level of impairment. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted based on the severity and impact of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive features may have aggravated his hypertension, and thus grants service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, were not incurred or aggravated during her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his PTSD. The case will be readjudicated based on the updated evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records from 1976 to August 1992, as well as any service clinical records. A VA psychiatric examination is also required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit any private psychiatric care records he has.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective June 2009. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted for his PTSD. For the issue of TDIU, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for this benefit as he can still secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with alcohol dependence prior to May 31, 2011, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence prior to that date was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and his claim for a higher rating remains pending. The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an in-service TBI but did not address the issue of increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.