PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD, right knee degenerative joint disease with scar, left knee injury with instability and scar, and left knee degenerative joint disease status post surgical repair have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum from the January 2013 examiner regarding prior diagnoses of PTSD and depression, and to determine if the Veteran currently has a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder due to service. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression does not result in deficiencies in most areas or unemployability, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and attempting to obtain medical records from civilian hospitals. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reviewed after these developments.

The Veteran's PTSD with cognitive symptoms are manifested by occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were characterized by extreme irritability and anger, leading to social isolation and inability to perform job duties effectively. The RO granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective October 20, 1992 and an earlier effective date of September 15, 1995 for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining verification of a newly claimed in-service stressor and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective from April 14, 2003. His other service-connected disabilities combined to 60 percent or more from April 5, 2004, to September 1, 2004, and from December 16, 2005, forward.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and left ear hearing loss, respectively.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his claimed stressor and treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and right ankle disability, finding new and material evidence. The claims are now pending on their merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking his depressive disorder to service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is denied.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and panic disorder are granted. His right foot disability is also granted as service connected.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased to 70 percent effective June 9, 2010. The appeal for a TDIU is still pending and will be remanded.