PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood; but not total social impairment. The criteria for an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD are not met.

The Veteran's depression and PTSD have been rated at the highest possible level (100%) since November 5, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's incarceration and lack of VA examination. The AOJ is instructed to take all reasonable measures to schedule a VA examination for the Veteran, including contacting the correctional facility or sending a VA examiner to conduct the examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from April 30, 2008 to July 30, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at least 70 percent since February 3, 2009. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating effective from February 3, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD has been stable and manifested by anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. However, he does not take medication or require individual or group therapy or counseling; he maintains good family relationships, an adequate social life, and employment in law enforcement for many years prior to retiring. His PTSD has not caused impairment in ability to communicate, understanding complex commands, or memory impairment of service-connected etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is characterized by symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety in crowds, panic attacks, chronic sleep disturbance, lack of motivation/interest, increasing social isolation, irritability/angry outbursts, and difficulty maintaining effective work and social relationships. The VA has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, vocational rehabilitation records, and Vet Center treatment records. The case will be re-adjudicated after the requested information has been obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on his employment. The RO should also obtain updated VA treatment records from April 2015 through the present.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for residuals of fracture, left acromion process and segmental fracture and residuals of a head/brain injury. The remaining issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, major depression, anxiety, impulse control disorder) is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's pityriasis rosea is rated at 10 percent, and his PTSD is rated at 50 percent. The issues are mixed as the Veteran has higher ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is productive of occupational and social impairment in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. He has been granted a higher rating for his psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 12, 2009. The VA examiner found the Veteran had occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, irritability, panic attacks weekly or less, chronic sleep impairment, and reported memory problems.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left shoulder and spine conditions has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that the current psychiatric disorders are causally related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 25, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 30 percent disabling, and his service connection claims for other conditions have been granted. The effective date of the service connection determinations is not specified.

The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service, including the reported stressor events. The Veteran's diagnoses are attributed to his substance abuse and hepatitis C, rather than service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional VA treatment records. The claim will be readjudicated based on the updated evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for seborrhea was granted, but the appeals for service connection of PTSD and bilateral glaucoma were denied.