PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and treatment. The Veteran needs to provide additional VA or private records, including those from a Vet Center and Dr. D.G., for further evaluation.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 30 percent, but the Board found no evidence of more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The claims for PTSD, IBS, migraines, joint pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome with insomnia were not addressed as they are being remanded.

Between February 26 and July 17, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in work and family relations, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and severe symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and hallucinations. The Board determined that these symptoms most nearly approximated a finding of total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by at least occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms including suicidal ideation; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances; and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. As a result, the Veteran is granted an initial 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a seizure disorder require additional development due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including consideration of new evidence and regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is competent to handle funds disbursed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, based on evidence showing his ability to manage financial affairs with appropriate supervision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim, as there is no diagnosis of PTSD and the VA examinations found no current symptomatology.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 6, 2007. His radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to address his claims for service connection for various psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The case will be readjudicated in accordance with the provisions of Clemons and the revisions in 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f) that came into effect July 13, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The issue remains an initial increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation of PTSD was denied as the evidence did not show total social and occupational impairment prior to August 17, 2005.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing test results from a VA hospital regarding alcohol and drug screening of the Veteran, which may be relevant to determining if substance abuse contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a PTSD service connection was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, and finds that new evidence supports this reopening. The Veteran's in-service stressors are conceded, and he is entitled to service connection for his diagnosed PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his fear of hostile military activity during service in Vietnam, and the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.