PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in his requiring assistance with a number of his activities of daily living (ADLs) and require care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, and adjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since January 14, 2008. The initial disability ratings for the earlier periods have not been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as potential adjustment of his PTSD rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a bilateral knee disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left hip disability and GERD has been granted with an initial rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a skin disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left ankle disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted with an initial rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since April 24, 2007. Prior to July 19, 2008, the disability was manifested by severe occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in mood due to symptoms such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle reaction, depression, and explosive anger. From July 19, 2008, the Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by an inability to maintain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran seeks an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of his condition and remands the case back to the RO for further action.

The Veteran is entitled to an initial disability rating of 30 percent for PTSD, effective from March 7, 2007 to March 14, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, varicose veins, and a psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran did not provide any additional information or evidence that would support reopening these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant impairment, including social isolation and difficulty maintaining employment, warranting a 50% disability rating for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with a secondary schizoaffective disorder is granted, and the effective date is set at February 19, 1985.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to July 30, 2008 and denied for a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date onwards.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in service records and the need to clarify the Veteran's claimed stressors. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 15, 2004. The appeal seeks a higher initial evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, depressive disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder was denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a current diagnosis or a link to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to November 9, 2010.,From November 9, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were characterized by irritability and depression, but not by flattened affect or stereotyped speech. The Board found that the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to the required criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury to the bilateral hands was denied due to lack of current diagnosed disability. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted based on evidence showing a link between in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and low back disorder. The claim for service connection for diverticulitis is pending, as is the claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD.