PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to September 10, 2010 included social isolation and occasional thoughts of suicide. The rating assigned was 50 percent.,From September 10, 2010 to July 8, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has not been productive of total occupational and social impairment, so the claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities including a respiratory disability, sinusitis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lumbar radiculopathy, postoperative residuals of a cervical spine injury, left arm and shoulder disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and bilateral pes planus. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for sinusitis. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine on a secondary basis. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for lumbar radiculopathy on a secondary basis. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for postoperative residuals of a cervical spine injury, status post fusion on a secondary basis. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for left arm and shoulder disability on a secondary basis. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). The claims are being remanded to allow for further development of the claim, including consideration of PTSD under Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1 (2009).,The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral pes planus based on a presumption of soundness due to the absence of pes planus at entrance into service and exposure to asbestos and tear gas during service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and did not provide an in-service stressor. As such, service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a left wrist disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions. The issues include seeking increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and PTSD, as well as determining whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was denied as he did not provide any stressor information and there is no competent medical evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS, has been characterized by symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, irritability, panic attacks once every two to three months, and mild memory loss of forgetting names. The Board finds that for the entire initial rating period, these symptoms result in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, which more nearly approximates the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 9413.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility requirements for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaption grant due to his unsteady balance and coordination issues, which are not severe enough to qualify him under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is manifested by no worse than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks (weekly or less often), and chronic sleep impairment. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent are not met.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board finds that his symptoms most nearly approximate a 30 percent evaluation, warranting an initial 30 percent scheduler rating throughout the claims period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 11, 2004. The rating is maintained as the symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying whether the Veteran desires a DRO hearing or a Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder NOS, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and provide a new medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms are related to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's initial increased rating from 50% to 70% for PTSD was granted effective October 28, 2011. The current disability rating is based on the severity of symptoms and impairment experienced since that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the NPRC and a private facility to corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD, effective from February 17, 2004, due to total occupational and social impairment. The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5278.