PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's case was remanded for further development, including obtaining records from the Vet Center in Brockton, MA. The case is now being returned to the Board for readjudication.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are related to service in Vietnam. The Veteran's experiences as a clerk and NCO administrative assistant with additional duties as a mail clerk during his time in supply are being considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective February 11, 2009. The VA determined that the condition results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as a matter of law because the claim has been final and any subsequent free-standing claim seeking an earlier effective date will be denied.

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

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective January 2, 2009, when his combined disability rating reached 70 percent. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's claim for payment of or reimbursement for medical expenses at Volusia Hand Surgery Clinic from December 10, 2009 to March 15, 2010 is denied as the treatment was not authorized in advance and did not meet the criteria for emergency care.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and depression, has not shown the severity of symptoms required for a higher rating prior to December 15, 2008.

The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for the service-connected PTSD with MDD, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD, the primary issue on appeal, is rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board has granted service connection for this condition and found that it meets the criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent under DC 9411.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 30 percent rating, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant an increase to higher ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to service, including his alleged exposure in an armored tank. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions were more likely due to a long-term history of manual labor jobs, multiple injuries, and age-related degeneration.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating since April 17, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on several issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of this claim, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and requesting any pertinent Offutt Air Force Base-Ehrling Bergquist Hospital records.