PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address whether any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bipolar disorder is related to service, and if so, to determine its effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 23, 2009. The symptoms have included frequent nightmares, chronic sleep impairment, depression, loss of interest in activities, anxiety, poor concentration, social isolation, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. The left flank scar is rated at 10 percent due to painful symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and an increased rating for PTSD, but the case is remanded to obtain additional development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disorder and reopening of his claim for PTSD and depression have been withdrawn. The Board has also determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, but further development is needed before this can be decided.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 25, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date would be September 25, 2007, when the petition to reopen his previously denied PTSD claim was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the Diagnostic Code for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 30 percent rating for GERD with associated short segment Barrett's esophagus and Schatzki ring status post dilation should be February 1, 2009 (the day after his service discharge date). The Veteran's GERD disability was shown to warrant such a rating throughout the one-year period prior to December 3, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a more comprehensive evaluation of his service-connected PTSD and its impact on his employability. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA neuropsychological examination and for obtaining additional treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 30 percent prior to May 12, 2010, and a higher rating is not warranted. The claim for increased ratings remains pending.

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

The Board denied the claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, as well as the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a seizure disorder, panic attacks, and anxiety resulting from VA treatment or lack thereof.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressed mood and alcohol dependence is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under VA's General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a staged rating of no more than 10 percent prior to May 24, 2007; no more than 50 percent from May 24, 2007 to December 17, 2010; and no more than 70 percent since December 17, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to warrant a 70 percent rating prior to February 25, 2011. The Board has also determined that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU prior to December 31, 2006 and SMC effective prior to February 25, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, neck disability, and bilateral elbow disability due to incomplete development. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to August 9, 2010, resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.