PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and readjudicating the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and PTSD. The remaining issues of right knee disorder, back disorder, and alcohol abuse secondary to PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and whether it is related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder was evaluated at 50 percent from June 17, 2008. The Board denied an earlier effective date and a higher evaluation for the period prior to that.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and Organic Brain Syndrome are related to his service, with PTSD stemming from combat experiences in Vietnam and Organic Brain Syndrome linked to his service-connected malaria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a new VA examination and ensuring undelivered correspondence reaches the correct address.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete VA examination reports and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's PTSD results in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating of 70 percent prior to September 22, 2011.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure all theories of entitlement have been considered and to obtain additional development regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms of a nature and severity most nearly approximating those contemplated by a 70 percent disability rating prior to May 18, 2012. For the entire appeal period, his PTSD did not result in total social and occupational impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD and for additional development related to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to November 30, 2009, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension. The issues of migraines, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and TDIU have been addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his request to reopen a claim for service connection for reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the bilateral upper extremities. The Veteran is currently receiving appropriate disability compensation for his PTSD, dysthymia, left shoulder disability, low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent rating.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, which is presumed based on his service in Vietnam and the stressors he experienced during combat. The Board finds that his current diagnosis meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are also pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.