PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 29, 2008 and in excess of 50 percent effective February 28, 2012. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks more than once a week, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and an anxiety disorder, are related to a personal assault during his military service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's traumatic brain injury and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be service-connected. The PTSD is assigned a 50% disability rating, the left knee and right knee conditions are each rated at 10%, the shoulder strains are not service-connected, the wrist condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating, the spine strain is rated at 10%, the ankle strains do not warrant a higher rating, the hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10%, and the headaches are assigned a 30% disability rating. The Veteran's hypertension, DVT, restless leg syndrome, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease are each rated at 10%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including consideration of new VA medical records and provision of VCAA notice regarding a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent effective June 28, 2002. The rating has not been increased.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the claims, including a review by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, and if so, whether service connection should be granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: a request for higher initial ratings for PTSD and a claim for TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, clarify the Veteran's application for TDIU, and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent prior to June 4, 2014 and at 70 percent on or after that date. The Board finds the symptoms have most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warranted a 70 percent rating effective March 1, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, effective June 29, 2005. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were met and granted an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and that any psychiatric disability(ies) other than PTSD were first diagnosed many years after discharge from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA mental health examination and reviewing outstanding treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service exposure to combat stressors during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since February 26, 2013, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors. The Veteran is diagnosed with various psychiatric disorders and may require a VA examination to determine if any are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the Board finds that there are accepted in-service stressors, a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the opinions of VA psychiatrists and psychologists support that these stressors resulted in PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment from June 22, 2009 to December 12, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination. The current rating of 70 percent for PTSD remains in effect.