PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred after a motor vehicle accident is denied as the treatment was not considered emergency care and there were no indications that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at April 4, 2005.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndrome, memory loss, and acid reflux disease.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The issue of whether clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was committed in a prior rating decision denying service connection for bipolar disorder is also being referred to the RO.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the rating decision. Service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and residuals of traumatic brain injury are not granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety disorder) has been granted. The issue of reopening the previously denied dental condition claim has also been resolved, with new evidence submitted that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Service connection was not established for an eye disorder, diabetes mellitus, or bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by impaired impulse control, depression, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances. The Board has determined that a 70 percent disability rating is warranted for the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing PTSD was aggravated by his military service, and therefore grants service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the November 2010 VA examiner and a new opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities collectively render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for PTSD with Bipolar Disorder was denied. The claim is pending on the merits, and no extraschedular consideration has been addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 7, 2005. The Board granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective from February 1, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and PTSD, as well as a TDIU rating due to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection or a grant of TDIU.

The Board remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to address symptoms and determine appropriate ratings for PTSD with associated alcohol abuse.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD and also found that there is no evidence to warrant referral for consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder, were incurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional efforts to corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors, including a witnessed aircraft crash. The VA examiner diagnosed dysthymic disorder but found no PTSD due to the lack of corroborated exposure to a traumatic event.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain a supplemental opinion from the VA general medical examiner regarding his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, which already considers the severity of his disability and symptomatology. The Board finds that an extraschedular rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of marked interference with employment beyond what has been contemplated by the schedular criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and anxiety was rated at 50 percent prior to September 1, 2009.