PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened since the last examination, leading to a higher rating of 50 percent effective February 4, 2008. The Veteran also has been diagnosed with mild major depressive disorder secondary to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity and VA psychiatrist confirmed the stressor was adequate. As such, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since September 12, 2007. The Board found that the evidence shows significant impairment in social and occupational functioning, warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including gunshot wound residuals of the left chest and PTSD. The Board finds that these conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain outstanding VA treatment records from the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's request for payment of emergency room services rendered on December 6-7, 2009 was denied. The Board has ordered a SOC to be issued.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA psychiatric treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and verification of an inservice stressor event.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV and therefore denied service connection for PTSD. The claim for service connection for anxiety and major depressive disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was not shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms did not reach the level of occupational and social impairment required for a 70 percent or 100 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with bipolar disorder, effective January 18, 2000. The earlier effective date claim is denied due to the absence of CUE in the September 1970 RO decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a clarification of the appellant's PTSD diagnosis and consideration of additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD and linking it to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at St. Mary Medical Center from February 13, 2005 to February 15, 2005 is denied as the services were not rendered in a 'medical emergency' and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's entire Official Military Personnel File and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from PTSD based on any verified stressors. The examiner is instructed to consider only the stressor(s) identified as having been verified by the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or a diagnosis of PTSD.