PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran manifests PTSD as a result of combat-related stressors during his Iraq service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he claims is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the issue can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression has been rated at 70 percent since November 6, 2008. The evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment or exceptional circumstances that would render the assigned rating inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD has been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including consideration of additional evidence submitted after certification to the Board. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for readjudication.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by deficiencies in most areas, including work and mood, due to symptoms such as depression, sleep impairment, intrusive thoughts, concentration problems, irritability and anger, impaired memory, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships. The VA has granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain all pertinent medical records, including VA and private treatment records from the period of the Veteran's service and after. The cause of death will be further evaluated in light of the available evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was initially denied in 1997, but the effective date of his award is now set to August 28, 1996.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability and does not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues and additional evidence. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD will be readjudicated after the TDIU claim is also reviewed.

The Board found that the service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, as there was no evidence linking his death to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation as he does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have been rated at 70 percent since January 5, 2012. The disability ratings are based on the severity of symptoms and their impact on daily functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD causes no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency at all times during the pendency of the appeal, warranting a non-compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective July 22, 2011. The RO has granted a higher rating for PTSD from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and consider all relevant evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for hypertension and kidney disability due to herbicide exposure, as well as his claim for an enlarged aorta and aneurysm were denied. The Veteran's bilateral ear disability other than left ear hearing loss and tinnitus was not found to be related to service.