PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified in-service stressor and the Veteran did not engage in combat.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors during his deployment in Operation Desert Storm are credible and have led to a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his Alzheimer's dementia, which is a nonservice-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including loss of teeth, sinus condition, vision problems, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), tinnitus, skin disability, and residuals of a left knee injury were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a left knee disorder due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in combat and there is no credible supporting evidence of any in-service stressor to support the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder. Therefore, service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing and further development as requested. The case will be returned to the Board after this.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and his left upper extremity neuropathy (minor) is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are not considered for higher ratings as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only was also denied as there is no evidence of loss of use of both hands or feet, nor vision impairment that would qualify him under the applicable regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran has a principal diagnosis of PTSD from VA, which is reasonably attributable to his active service.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not meet the legal criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 or accrued benefits.

The Veteran seeks reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility on August 9, 2006. The VAMC denied the claim due to lack of prior VA authorization and because the treatment was not for a medical emergency.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and left leg/foot disorder did not manifest during his active duty service. The evidence does not support a causal relationship between these disorders and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection as it is related to combat experiences in Vietnam. Service connection for a skin disorder and kidney tumor, both claimed due to herbicide exposure, are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and insufficient information to verify in-service stressors for PTSD. The Veteran's representative argues that additional personnel records from September 1, 1950 to March 5, 1953 should be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The decision found that while the Veteran had current diagnoses of these conditions, there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his military service and any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim to increase his rating for PTSD from 50 percent to a higher percentage is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of updated treatment records.