PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD, and his psychiatric disorder is characterized as dysthymic disorder and depression. The medical evidence did not support a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to address the Veteran's psychiatric disability claims, including service connection and secondary service connection issues.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic disorder and depressive disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as a blunted affect; intrusive thoughts; occasional visual hallucinations; memory impairment; sleep difficulty; extreme anger; and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. For the entire rating period on appeal prior to February 24, 2014, the criteria for the 50 percent rating have been approximated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence from the Vet Center in Boise, Idaho.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since December 21, 2006. The current disability rating reflects moderate social and occupational impairment due to symptoms such as near-constant anxiety, episodic depression, blunted affect, sleep impairment, irritability, intrusive thoughts, concentration problems, mild memory impairment, some confinement issues, panic attacks, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, dysthymic disorder and adjustment disorder, is being remanded due to inadequate examination in the May 2014 Board decision. Additional VA treatment records are needed, as well as a new addendum opinion from the examiner.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but did not cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and undiagnosed illnesses. The case is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a Board video-conference hearing at the El Paso VA facility as soon as possible after April 2015. The Veteran requested additional time due to obtaining new evidence and wishes to attend his hearing at the El Paso VA facility.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The Veteran's claims file must be reviewed by the examiner in conjunction with the examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was also denied. The Board found that no new evidence had been submitted to reopen the original claim, and that the Veteran did not provide a valid reason for missing the deadline to file a timely appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The other claims are pending further development and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms more closely approximate a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating prior to August 21, 2013. On and after August 21, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD has resulted in deficiencies in most areas, qualifying for a 70% rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration due to the need for a combined effects opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of additional treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unemployable due to his mental health condition.