PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling effective April 17, 2013. The appeal for a higher rating remains on hold as the issue of TDIU (Total Disability Rating Independent of Compensation) has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist. The examiner will determine if PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity during service and whether any other acquired psychiatric disorder is related to an injury or disease in service.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymia and alcohol abuse is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not warrant a higher rating. The evidence does not show that the disability alone precludes participation in any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, which includes PTSD and anxiety disorder with adjustment disorder, has been rated at 50 percent since October 13, 2010. The rating is for the current level of impairment due to symptoms such as sleep impairment, suicidal ideation, social isolation, paranoia, nightmares, hypervigilance, anger problems, avoidant behavior, near continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to January 12, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and a 10 percent rating for tinnitus have been denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for sinusitis is being remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his in-service stressors and awarded service connection for this condition as well. However, the initial evaluation for bipolar disorder remains pending due to a need for further information regarding whether PTSD represents a progression of or a separate condition from bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The RO must request private treatment records from Melrose Clinic in 1982 and obtain clinical records from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital during her separation from service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive features is granted, and the claims for right shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are remanded due to procedural defects.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to lack of recent VA treatment records and concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS with subclinical PTSD is rated at 70 percent and his TDIU claim is granted. Service connection for DM2 remains pending as the appeal does not address this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent prior to March 24, 2014, and 40 percent thereafter. His PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to that date and increased to 70 percent from March 24, 2014.,The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent since February 16, 2012. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been shown to cause significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for psychiatric disabilities and a back disability. The Veteran's claim is pending further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that the new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his residuals of a low back injury, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The decision is in favor of granting TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent prior to May 17, 2010.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities to include anxiety disorder and PTSD were found to warrant a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of claim (August 30, 2010).

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of January 11, 2007, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.