PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with secondary alcohol abuse and depressive mood disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 30, 2013. The Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted for the entire initial rating period prior to December 30, 2013.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD, effective April 27, 2011. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as anxiety, emotional instability, irritability, hypervigilance, reclusive behavior, impaired judgment, panic attacks, frequent sleep troubles, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and GAF scores from 65 to 50.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a new VA psychiatric examination and obtaining relevant treatment records.

The Board has found the previous VA psychiatric examinations inadequate and has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development and a supplemental opinion to determine how, if at all, the Veteran's diagnosis would change based upon consideration under the DSM-IV. The examiner must also specify whether the personality disorder was aggravated by a superimposed injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been granted service connection, with a rating of 70 percent effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code. The issue regarding the left knee was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a TDIU, arguing that he should have been granted one based on his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds evidence of unemployability due to the service-connected disabilities and remands the case for referral to the VA Under Secretary for Benefits or the VA Director of the Compensation and Pension Service for adjudication of TDIU eligibility under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating prior to September 2, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression cause occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency, but do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's scars are rated based on their current condition without any need for further clarification of service connection or exposure basis.,Chronic pain, vertigo, and chronic fatigue have not been established as service-connected conditions.,Service connection has been granted for hepatitis C with an effective date prior to March 2, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder due to the lack of a diagnosis by an appropriate medical professional, despite confirmation of an in-service stressor. Service connection was reopened on new evidence but not granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted service connection and rated at 30 percent. His claim for dental trauma was denied as there is no evidence of a compensable disability due to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to November 16, 2012 and a TDIU was granted for the same period. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from November 16, 2012 forward is denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining employment history and medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and PTSD. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran experienced acoustic trauma during his active duty in Vietnam, which likely contributed to his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after further review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the current severity of his PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse. The AOJ must also reclassify the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD as an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for an acquired mental disorder, to include PTSD with associated depressive disorder and alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional mental health treatment records and a new VA examination. The case will be reviewed again after these are obtained.