PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back condition, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss disability have been reopened. The Board has granted these claims.,Service connection is established for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD throughout the period on appeal. The TDIU claim is also granted since June 25, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the correct diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder and whether it is at least as likely as not related to service. The appellant's claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for Depression NOS, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that he meets the criteria for this condition. Service connection is also granted for ischemic cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease, which are presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses are related to his military service. The focus is on verifying an in-service stressor and assessing whether any diagnosed conditions are linked to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the maximum disability rating of 100 percent since March 23, 2010. The residuals of GSW of the right eye are rated at a 100 percent disability rating effective from March 23, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a bilateral foot disability, a left knee disability, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and acute myocardial ischemia. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective December 12, 2006. The case is being remanded for further evaluation and clarification of the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety and depression is remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination. Other issues related to hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy are also being referred back to the RO.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for PTSD from November 29, 1996 to March 27, 2005. The VA has not obtained all of the Veteran's VA treatment records during this period and needs to do so before deciding his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess current symptoms and severity.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability of the shoulders, arms, left hand, or lumbar spine. The acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression is also denied as it was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of SSA records and the need to consider the recently amended PTSD regulations. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred for emergency care on April 13-14, 2006 at the Johnson City Medical Center are now eligible for reimbursement due to the failure of VA facilities to provide timely treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, a low back disability, and migraine headaches due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The claim for psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD/bipolar disorder remains denied as no new material evidence was found.