PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD symptoms has been rated at 50 percent since the initial grant of service connection, and the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's PTSD, anxiety neurosis in a schizoid personality, and psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are all found to be related to his service. The claim for hypertension is also granted as it is considered part of the same disability picture.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling examinations of his feet and mental health.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD has been withdrawn by the representative.

The Veteran's death was caused by gastric cancer, which may be related to service exposure. The appellant seeks recognition of her son as a helpless child and pension benefits due to the Veteran's death. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions and SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is being reopened, and the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. The case is REMANDED due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and his current psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is shown to have been productive of a disability picture manifested by moderate disablement and more nearly approximates that of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity resulting in difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships for the initial period of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 1, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective November 24, 2003. The Board has also granted a TDIU since August 2005.

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

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling from October 19, 2007 to March 3, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with a 50% disability rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and his dysthymia with comorbid PTSD symptoms are currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal for higher evaluations has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to her in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a psychiatrist regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relationship to his military service and death. The claims of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and burial allowance are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The VA determined that the Veteran's mental disorders, specifically Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression, were not incurred in service. The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing condition and concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied the remaining issues of service connection. The Veteran is now service connected for a mood disorder, but not for chloracne, psoriasis, IBS, hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, or residuals of frostbite.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) has been characterized by some difficulty in maintaining social relationships, nightmares and insomnia; obsessional rituals, impaired impulse control, near continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, spatial disorientation, illogical or obscure speech, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Veteran is currently assigned a 50 percent rating for PTSD since May 12, 2010.