PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an initial rating of 70 percent effective November 24, 1981. The effective date is based on the submission of new and material evidence from service department records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. The VA examiner found no evidence of any skin rash or other skin disability on physical examination and concluded that it is less likely as not related to service. A new VA audiological examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was caused by or due to his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a spontaneous pneumothorax are pending. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a spontaneous pneumothorax is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain treatment records and for a new examination due to increased symptomatology. The TDIU issue will be considered in conjunction with the PTSD rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), tinnitus, right olecranon bursitis, right upper arm scar, and bilateral hearing loss, are insufficient to warrant a TDIU rating. The case is being remanded for additional development of records and an examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including hypervigilance, insomnia, restricted affect, dysphoria, tearfulness, anxiety, and depression, have led to significant occupational and social impairment. However, the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment due to such severe symptoms as gross impairment in thought processes or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting self or others.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as depressive neurosis, anxiety disorder NOS, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, has been increased to a 70 percent rating effective August 22, 2011. The condition presents with occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. A VA psychiatric examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since September 5, 2006, and increased to 50 percent as of February 26, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding his employability despite having service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned for an updated VA examination and consideration of factors such as education, work experience, and the impact of service-connected conditions on employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and depression. The examiner is instructed to accept the Veteran's presence at the DMZ as fact, consider contradictory statements regarding stressors, and provide an opinion on whether any diagnosed conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for stressor verification, a new VA examination, and consideration of all relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since December 29, 2009. The Board finds that the current rating of 50 percent is more appropriate for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive features and plantar calluses, do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment given his education and previous work experience.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development and adjudication of the claim for a TDIU rating, including consideration of VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's employability due to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The case is therefore REMANDED for further action.