PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships prior to January 24, 2013.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The preponderance of the competent and credible evidence is against this claim.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at a 70 percent evaluation from March 1, 2007 to February 23, 2010.,A TDIU has also been granted effective February 24, 2010.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD based on the VA examinations and opinions, and therefore service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lower back disability, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to June 1, 2009. The decision also addressed the issue of left side sciatica and radiculopathy associated with the Veteran's service-connected lower back disability.

The Board granted a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected panic disorder, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying the Veteran's current address of record with VA.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and depression due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The case regarding obstructive sleep apnea will be remanded to obtain an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and MDD.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred at University of Washington Medical Center on August 23, 2008 is denied as the treatment was not rendered in an emergency situation and no other conditions for reimbursement under VA regulations were met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, and granted it. The issue of compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for splenic laceration with splenectomy associated with complications of a VA colonoscopy performed on August 29, 2011 is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been denied as the evidence does not show that he is entitled to a rating in excess of 40 percent prior to July 5, 2012, and in excess of 70 percent from July 5, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at April 28, 1981, as this was the original date of claim. The Veteran had verified in-service stressors but did not have a diagnosis of PTSD or other psychiatric disease at the time of initial denial and subsequent Board decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU. ED is not service-connected as it is due to a nonservice-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for PTSD was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the increase in disability occurred within one year from the date of his initial evaluation.