PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility on April 13, 2002 was denied because the VA did not provide prior authorization and there was no evidence that the respiratory problems constituted an emergency or that VA facilities were unavailable.

The Board has determined that there is conflicting medical evidence regarding the severity of the veteran's service-connected PTSD and remanded the case for a new VA examination to clarify the current extent of the disability. The RO should ensure all notification and development requirements of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 have been completed, including obtaining any additional medical records or other evidence identified by the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence verifying his claimed in-service stressors and concluding that he did not engage in combat with the enemy.

The Board found that the veteran does not suffer from PTSD as a result of verifiable combat stressors sustained in service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of June 22, 1987 for his service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and a skin rash. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy, and there is no evidence of an inservice stressor linked to PTSD. Hypertension was not shown within one year post-service discharge. A VA examination is needed to determine if the current skin rash is related to service.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since December 12, 1997. The issue of a TDIU prior to March 18, 2000, is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and a psychiatric disability, to include depression and PTSD, secondary to his diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Board denied the veteran's claim, finding that withholding of past due benefits to recoup his indebtedness was proper based on VA regulations.

The VA has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent disability evaluation, effective from April 18, 2000. The appellant's PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impairment of short- and long-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The VA determined that the veteran's PTSD causes significant occupational and social impairment but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The appeal is being remanded for additional review of the evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD and for an increased rating for COPD are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is shown to have been productive of a level of impairment that more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as depression, impaired impulse control, and an inability to establish effective relationships. The RO has granted a 70 percent rating for the entire period since December 21, 1999.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including VA examinations and notification of the evidence needed to substantiate his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is associated with his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The VA has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective from January 2001.