PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's cause of death, acute cardiac arrest with myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, is not related to service-connected conditions or any disability incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as there is no evidence showing he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to March 31, 2009. The SMC claim was also denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for regular aid and attendance or permanent housebound status.

The Veteran's PTSD is not productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, thus the claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's GAD with PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), did not manifest during or as a result of active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his psychiatric conditions, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as a result of service-connected disabilities (TDIU) will also be addressed.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from November 28, 2008 due to the combined effects of her service-connected disabilities (PTSD and recurrent abscesses) which made it impossible for her to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including securing VA treatment records and scheduling a vocational evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression and alcohol dependence is currently rated at 50 percent disabling from June 6, 2012. The symptoms include occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are pending.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records, as well as further consideration of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, as his symptoms have reportedly worsened since his last examination in March 2012. The case will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been rated at 30 percent since August 17, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 50% for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of a back disability. The Board also found that the criteria for a higher rating for PTSD prior to June 14, 2012 and since then were not met.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, was productive of occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks during the period from October 16, 2008, to January 7, 2009. The VA assigned a 30 percent evaluation for this time frame.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records from providers or facilities that may have treated his PTSD since March 2009. A new VA examination by an examiner who reviews the complete claims file must also be scheduled to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to October 3, 2011. The Board has now granted a rating of 70 percent effective from that date.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The weight of the evidence is against finding that any such disability had its onset during service or as a result of in-service stressors. As such, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder is denied.

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 and verification of stressor events.