PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's PTSD and renal cancer were not found to be service-connected, with the exception of a possible connection to herbicide exposure for renal cancer. The Board denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining when the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was initially diagnosed. The Veteran is also given an opportunity to perfect his appeal regarding the PTSD disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently manifested by symptoms such as nightmares, hypervigilance, depression, isolation, anxiety, irritability, and impairment of short term memory. The Board found that an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated at 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development of evidence. The effective date claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no competent medical nexus indicating its onset in service or secondary to a service-connected disability. Hypertension and heart disabilities are also denied as there is no credible evidence linking them to service, including service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is seeking payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical services provided at Maine Medical Center from May 4, 2007 to May 10, 2007. The VA denied the claim due to the Veteran refusing transfer to a VA facility and because VA regulations precluded payment for treatment procured through private sources in preference to available Government facilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination, as well as further consideration of the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his active military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an effective date prior to March 10, 1997 and for a TDIU rating based on his service-connected PTSD. The appellant was found not to have total occupational and social impairment due to his PTSD and left flank scar disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD was denied by the Board, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for residuals of a fractured right wrist and history of tinea cruris/pedis (claimed as jungle rot) were denied. The Veteran was not shown to have PTSD due to in-service events, and his current disabilities did not meet the criteria for compensable initial or higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an extra-schedular evaluation for left knee disability and service connection for PTSD, finding that the alleged stressors could not be verified.

Since April 29, 2004, the Veteran's PTSD has caused total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence received since the last denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The case is remanded to determine if the stressors claimed by the Veteran are verified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon polyps, PTSD, and right shoulder wound with rotator cuff tendonitis was denied. The Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The appellant's request for a Board of Veterans' Appeals hearing has been noted, and the case is being remanded to schedule this hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent disability rating as of December 12, 2008. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, is denied. The RO will conduct further development of the PTSD claim.