PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since June 22, 2004. The Board also granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has ordered a remand for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is aggravated by his service-connected meningitis. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) after this development.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The case has been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development regarding the onset of his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted effective September 19, 2003. Prior to April 5, 2013, the disability met criteria for a 70% rating but not for an even higher 100% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address whether any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bipolar disorder is related to service, and if so, to determine its effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 23, 2009. The symptoms have included frequent nightmares, chronic sleep impairment, depression, loss of interest in activities, anxiety, poor concentration, social isolation, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. The left flank scar is rated at 10 percent due to painful symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and an increased rating for PTSD, but the case is remanded to obtain additional development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disorder and reopening of his claim for PTSD and depression have been withdrawn. The Board has also determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, but further development is needed before this can be decided.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 25, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date would be September 25, 2007, when the petition to reopen his previously denied PTSD claim was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the Diagnostic Code for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 30 percent rating for GERD with associated short segment Barrett's esophagus and Schatzki ring status post dilation should be February 1, 2009 (the day after his service discharge date). The Veteran's GERD disability was shown to warrant such a rating throughout the one-year period prior to December 3, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a more comprehensive evaluation of his service-connected PTSD and its impact on his employability. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA neuropsychological examination and for obtaining additional treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 30 percent prior to May 12, 2010, and a higher rating is not warranted. The claim for increased ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, as well as the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a seizure disorder, panic attacks, and anxiety resulting from VA treatment or lack thereof.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressed mood and alcohol dependence is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under VA's General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.