PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2013

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), during or within one year after the Veteran's service. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service stressors were deemed inconsistent and lacking credibility. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure, as the Veteran did not have a current disability and there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The other issues were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and the inextricability of his TDIU claim with his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's severe back pain with numbness and weakness in his lower extremities, which was aggravating his service-connected PTSD, met the criteria for emergency treatment not previously authorized. The medical expenses incurred at a private chiropractic center were reimbursable as they were necessary due to an emergent condition that would have been hazardous if delayed.

The Board found no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disability and concluded that the Veteran's claimed PTSD is not related to his military service.

The Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability for VA purposes and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as they do not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 5, 2005. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to May 8, 2012. A rating higher than 50 percent is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notice provided regarding in-service personal assault claims and incomplete information from a licensed social worker at the Vet Center. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD, are not related to his military service or any event of service origin. The residuals of a right ankle sprain were rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the RO to review additional medical evidence submitted by him and prepare a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records review. The increased rating claim for PTSD and the TDIU claim are both pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has not been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period from June 10, 2005 through August 6, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially to his death from acute renal failure and coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran is entitled to TDIU and SMC for the period prior to March 26, 2007 due to service-connected disabilities of residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left hand, hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and a scar from an exotomectomy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating.