PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, as well as left knee DJD secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 27, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The Veteran's testimony regarding the alleged military sexual trauma (MST) was found to be credible and supported by other evidence in the file.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and whether he meets criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted, but no specific rating or effective date was assigned.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board finds that service connection is not warranted for the acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and restless leg syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from prior to 1999 and a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and determine if he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected as the diagnosis meets the DSM-IV criteria, there is a link between his current symptoms and an in-service stressor, and credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressor exists.

The Veteran's initial ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD have been granted, with the PTSD rating being at a 50 percent level since December 21, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, but instead has a mood disorder and polysubstance abuse in remission. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for Hepatitis C, finding it at least as likely as not that the Veteran's Hepatitis C is attributable to service. The claims of service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD including a mood disorder remain denied.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD related to a motor vehicle accident during service. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back injury with spondylosis and posttraumatic stress disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran meets the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD and if so, whether it is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Grandview Medical Center on October 24, 2009 for treatment of a scrotal abscess and tinea corporis are approved as the nearest VA facility was closed and not feasibly available.