PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before the Board. No new evaluations or ratings are decided upon in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy, atherosclerotic aorta by X-ray, erectile dysfunction, and kidney/liver disorders have been denied. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is shown to be productive of a disability picture that equates to 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). The criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting mild symptoms that decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks during periods of significant stress. The GAF score remains within the 61-70 range, indicating mild symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for PTSD and Chronic Wound.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is as likely as not related to his active service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor, and thus the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his gastric cancer.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining employment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was found to not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to April 4, 2012 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and Vet Center records and providing a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability evaluation for the entire rating period prior to September 20, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need to verify an in-service stressor and obtain his complete personnel file. A VA psychiatric examination will also be conducted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and clarifying whether his August 2010 substantive appeal was intended as a notice of disagreement with the rating for TBI.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD with major depressive disorder and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD met the criteria for a 50 percent rating as of June 18, 2009. The effective date is set at this time.

The Veteran's claim for reopening his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective June 1, 2010. The Board finds no evidence of a need for an extension of the temporary total rating beyond the initial hospitalization period.