PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found no evidence of limitation of motion or pain to shoulder level, warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's PTSD has not caused occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. Therefore, the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and various service-connected disabilities were denied. The RO continued the initial 30 percent rating for PTSD, granted a 20 percent rating for scars to the anterior chest, left thigh, ankle, and right cheek, continued a 30 percent rating for disfiguring scar to the neck, continued a 20 percent rating for shell fragment wound residual to his left forearm, continued a 10 percent rating for right-sided weakness to the lower lip, continued a 10 percent rating for muscle weakness, continued a 10 percent rating for shell fragment wound residuals to the right leg, and denied TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to new evidence received after a previous Supplemental Statement of the Case. The case will be returned to the AOJ for initial review.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he was denied a higher rating. The Board also found that his TDIU claim did not meet the schedular criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, is related to his service. The Veteran must provide authorization or submit private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine with compression fracture of the L1-T12, along with his PTSD, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 3, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD with symptoms of depression resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to June 29, 2011, warranting a rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating prior to January 6, 2010. From that date onward, his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant an increased rating. The Veteran also failed to demonstrate eligibility for TDIU due to his current employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from January 19, 2011 to April 16, 2012 and at 70 percent from April 17, 2012. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to March 22, 2010 did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. From March 22, 2010 onwards, his PTSD was manifested by significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

After resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran served in Vietnam and that his PTSD is etiologically related to military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of PTSD, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, coronary artery disease, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to perform his activities of daily living without regular assistance from another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 20, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment as of October 20, 2008.

The Board finds that the reduction in disability ratings for PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine from 50% to 30% and 20% to 10%, respectively, effective November 1, 2010, was proper.