PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the appeal must be remanded for a contemporaneous examination due to the lapse of time since the last examination and the Veteran's assertion of worsening disability. Additionally, VA records are incomplete as they do not contain complete clinical records from Charles Koah and any VA mental health treatment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decreases in work efficiency, depressed mood, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating prior to December 29, 2010. Since then, his symptoms have caused reduced reliability and productivity.,Service connection for pleural and pulmonary asbestosis is denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The claims of service connection for left leg/knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from June 1, 2011. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified are granted, based on medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Board hearing. The issues include seeking an initial compensable rating for two nose scars, reopening service connection for PTSD and left thumb disability, and determining if new evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his symptoms are related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his symptoms do not approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD disability has been rated at 30 percent prior to July 17, 2012 and 70 percent thereafter. The issue remains on appeal as the Veteran has not expressed satisfaction with his current rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing at the Manila RO. The Veteran will be scheduled for a new hearing at the Los Angeles RO.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling, does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as family relations, judgment, thinking and mood, due to symptoms including depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, impaired memory, flattened affect, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, impaired abstract thinking, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities, impaired impulse control, suicidal and homicidal ideation, and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he currently suffers from PTSD related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity while on active duty in Aviano, Italy, in 1978. The examiner is also requested to render an opinion as to whether any other diagnosed psychiatric disorder, such as Major Depressive Disorder, is a result of service.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder warrants a 30 percent rating prior to July 6, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS, that was incurred in or related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, resulting in moderate disability with symptoms such as sleep issues, avoidant behaviors, and problems with memory and concentration. This results in occupational and social impairment but not to the extent that it meets criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, alcoholism, seizure disorder, and dementia were not incurred or aggravated by his period of active military service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to various conditions, including hypertension, sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD. The Board has ordered the case back for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure the Veteran receives a VA examination and opinion regarding his claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depression. The AOJ will obtain relevant medical records and provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's initial rating of 70 percent for his service-connected PTSD with depression, bipolar disorder and adjustment disorder has been granted. The appeal regarding the low back disability is pending.