PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a VA examination and the need to consider additional evidence, including records from VA clinics in Akron and Cleveland.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, finding no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or for many years thereafter. The Veteran's lay statements regarding inservice incidents are not sufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and depression were granted, with the Board finding that his PTSD is related to in-service stressors. The claim of service connection for acne and dermatitis was not addressed due to lack of evidence.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD in 1985, finding that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD and instead granted service connection for dysthymia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected shell fragment wounds.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling an examination and considering the issues of PTSD disability rating and compensation during incarceration. The case will be returned to the Board for final adjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of shrapnel fragment wound, service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and low back disorder. The decision also noted that the Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and substance abuse were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD, dementia, and schizophrenia, resulted in total occupational and social impairment as of the date his claim for service connection was received. The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating effective from January 3, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including PTSD, tinnitus, and a skin disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination and adjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that his arthritis of the knees and right shoulder disorder are service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence on file regarding a current medical diagnosis of PTSD and an in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is now pending with the RO/AMC.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is less than the maximum benefit available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Mease Countryside Hospital Emergency Department on January 19, 2008 is denied as his treatment was not for a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.