PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and adjustment disorder, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment since May 2, 2002. A 100% disability rating was granted for this condition from May 2, 2002 to April 9, 2008.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and determine whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were a principal or contributory cause of his death, including metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma.

The Veteran's PTSD most nearly approximates total social and occupational impairment due to symptoms such as grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, chronic sleep disturbance, feelings of anger and irritability, avoidance, social isolation, exaggerated startle response, impaired impulse control with unprovoked irritability, frequent panic attacks, and an inability to maintain meaningful employment. The Veteran is currently granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and depression, is found to be related to service. The foot fungus diagnosis of onychomycosis was also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The current 50% disability rating is appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 31, 2004 for service connection of PTSD should be granted as of August 9, 1969.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of symptoms such as depression, irritability, angry outbursts, social and occupational isolation, and anxiety attacks, resulting in total occupational and social impairment. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD since May 13, 2010.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder has been rated at 70 percent since October 1, 2013. The Board also granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including suicidal ideations, depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate or effectively; impaired impulse control, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD are met.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders have not been related to service, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD, hypothyroidism, and knee replacements were all denied by the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and consideration of the effect of service-connected conditions on the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or restoration of a rating.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again after this development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues related to PTSD, sciatica of the right lower extremity, sciatica of the left lower extremity, and degenerative disc disease and herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD prior to September 14, 2008 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, records review, and medical opinions.