PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized, non-VA medical expenses is denied as the treatment was not rendered in an emergency situation and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are related to his active service, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disorder, PTSD, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, sexual dysfunction, and sleep disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 10 percent since June 1, 1998.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further development of his in-service stressor claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are consistent with his service and have been verified by a VA psychologist. Therefore, the claim for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to March 5, 2011 and subsequently increased to 70 percent effective March 5, 2011. The appeal is granted for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent since August 1, 2008, due to symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since the onset of his symptoms, indicating total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a 100 percent disability evaluation since March 26, 2007.

The Board found that the reduction in rating from 100% to 50% for PTSD was unwarranted, as there was no clear evidence of material improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have been incurred as a result of military sexual trauma, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for granuloma of the left lung is pending and has not been decided.,The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's PTSD claim, finding that his PTSD was caused by in-service assault. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's claimed PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The VA examiner found no verified stressor and the diagnosis of PTSD is based on a history of sexual trauma during military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, but his claim for a skin disorder other than cystic acne was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, and thinking. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial schedular disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD have been met.

The Veteran's PTSD and fibromyalgia have been granted service connection, with the condition of fibromyalgia being attributed to a clinical diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The Veteran's claim is pending with the Board.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD. However, additional development is necessary before addressing the merits of the claim.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence establishing a diagnosis of PTSD based on an in-service traumatic event or stressor, and the weight of the competent medical evidence is against finding a nexus between the post-service psychiatric disorder and service.