PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate August 2006 VA examination and because additional evidence was submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Elizabeth Regional Hospital Center on December 10, 2011, and December 11, 2011 are eligible for reimbursement due to his permanent and total disability resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of VA treatment records. The case is now returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression, has been rated at 30 percent. The Board determined that the evidence supports a higher rating of 50 percent due to more severe symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and difficulty sleeping.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide proper VCAA notice.

PTSD has been rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 70 percent since April 9, 2008.,Prostate cancer was initially rated at 60 percent from May 16, 2008 to November 3, 2009 and then increased to 60 percent effective July 18, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity for the period from September 23, 2004 to June 27, 2011.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas for the period from June 28, 2011 forward.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's character of discharge was not a bar to VA benefits due to his insanity at the time of offenses. The Veteran is granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD is denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to her September 27, 2007 claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD with bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder was denied as there is no indication of a pending claim prior to July 31, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD or depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration of his claims, including a TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the Board after any necessary actions have been taken.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service. The Veteran's claims for psychiatric, thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, headache and respiratory disorders are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective May 21, 2002. The issue of TDIU is moot as the PTSD rating grants a total disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he meets the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and CAD resulting in a combined disability picture that prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. His PTSD does not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability was granted with an effective date of January 7, 2009. The Board found that it was factually ascertainable that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as early as May 1, 2008.