PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is currently rated at 70 percent, effective April 3, 2014. The appeal for a higher evaluation remains before the Board.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and an anxiety and depressive disorder, both diagnosed as acquired psychiatric disorders.,Service connection was also granted for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his claimed stressors are adequate to support a diagnosis of PTSD and that the symptoms are related to the claimed stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to February 7, 2014. As of February 7, 2014, the rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's PTSD, including whether it is related to his in-service exposure to coffins containing perished bodies during service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a rating not to exceed 70 percent. The Veteran was granted an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further examination. The issues of service connection for an undiagnosed illness and an acquired psychiatric disorder are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been shown to meet the criteria for a rating of 70 percent disabling, and his unemployability due to PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been productive of occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The evidence also shows that the Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain reasonably continuous gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, qualifying him for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have aggravated his coronary artery disease, which caused his death. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and issuing a statement of the case (SOC) regarding his TDIU claim. The PTSD evaluation will also be reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, left knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome is denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were denied as the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired mental disorder due to in-service stressors. The examiner concluded that his current psychiatric symptoms are more likely related to his long history of mental illness, rather than prior military experiences.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether his PTSD is related to verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of sleep impairment, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, suspiciousness, nightmares, hypervigilance, depression, extreme anger problems, avoidant behavior, a flattened affect, memory impairment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty with social interactions. The symptoms have resulted in social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during military service and has been continuous since then, granting service connection for this condition. The other issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been dismissed as the claim is no longer pending due to a settlement agreement that granted service connection for PTSD and related disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, including any hallucinations and memory impairment. Additionally, VA treatment records from April 2014 onwards should be obtained.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his combined rating for service-connected disabilities was at least 70% since July 16, 2006 and he is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to June 18, 2012. The preponderance of the evidence shows that the disability did not result in total occupational or social impairment.