PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD and his claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's depressive disorder, however, has been diagnosed and considered in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to November 16, 2009. The symptoms included a depressed mood, anxiety, sleep impairment, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, left shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right and left knee disorders, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors have not been verified, and thus his service connection claim for PTSD was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as his claim for a substance abuse disorder. The Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during service, and there is no evidence linking his current psychiatric disorders to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, depression, and PTSD, has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's claimed in-service personal assault is corroborated by evidence from other sources, such as behavioral changes following his release from military prison.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The rating is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, resulting in a 30 percent disability rating. The appeal for increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected as it is directly related to his military service, specifically the traumatic experiences he reported during submarine duty.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction, including its relationship to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new VA examination of his PTSD. The case will be readjudicated after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the existence or etiology of his claimed conditions. The claim for a left knee disorder was not reopened, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) was reopened based on new evidence provided since the last final denial.

The Board finds that the Veteran's neck disability is not shown by the most probative evidence of record to be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination, as well as the potential need for additional SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant employment records and medical records from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Physicians Regional Medical Center from March 17, 2009 to March 18, 2009 are now covered by VA as the treatment was deemed necessary due to a non-service-connected condition and emergency.

The Veteran meets the basic eligibility requirements for assistance in acquiring a special home adaptation grant, but does not meet the criteria for specially adaptive housing.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified stressor supporting his diagnosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no credible evidence linking his current PTSD to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors were incredible and unverified, and there is no evidence of psychiatric complaints in service or for many years after separation from service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.