PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be caused by military service and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus there are no merits to consider.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for PTSD and a rating in excess of 20 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus with bilateral cortical cataracts, thus the Board dismisses these matters.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fragment wound to the face and right eye, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), are related to his service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS. The claims are being remanded for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental disorder, and therefore service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for degenerative changes of the cervical spine. The evidence received since September 2007 does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent from April 12, 2010 to November 27, 2013.,Since November 27, 2013, the Veteran is entitled to a rating in excess of 70 percent for his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records of hazardous duty pay and confirming the Veteran's unit assignment during service in Korea. The Veteran will also undergo a VA examination to determine if he has PTSD due to any claimed service-related stressor and to determine the nature and etiology of his other psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder, and depression is being remanded due to the need to verify his reported in-service stressors and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is shown to cause occupational and social impairment only during periods of significant stress; it is no more than mild.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms result in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The Board also finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the reduction of the PTSD disability rating from 50% to 30% was not proper, and denied entitlement to higher initial disability ratings for PTSD. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated as 30%, with symptoms including disturbances of motivation and mood, irritability, sleep disturbance, anger, feelings of detachment and estrangement.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to March 4, 2014 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. From March 4, 2014, his PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected PTSD on his employability and consideration of all pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim will also be considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service personnel records and potential inconsistencies with reported stressors. The SSA records are also needed for both issues on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a partial loss of the right ear was denied due to his own willful misconduct. The claim for PTSD and laceration of the right middle finger were also denied.