PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further verification of his reported stressor and additional examination.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms manifested in total occupational and social impairment effective August 10, 2006. The Board granted a rating of 100 percent for PTSD as of that date.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Via Christi Hospital for a CABG procedure are granted as the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether he was transferred to a VA facility, and reasonable doubt must be resolved in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back strain is related to her active duty service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, remains pending as the claimant's diagnosis does not meet the criteria for PTSD under DSM-IV but instead diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Service connection for a cervical spine disability is also pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted, with the diagnosis being based on current evidence that supports a PTSD diagnosis linked to in-service stressors.,Service connection for right foot neuropathy was denied as there is no competent and credible evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and finds that new evidence received since the April 2010 rating decision is sufficient to reopen the claim. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression are related to her in-service rapes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for nephrolithiasis has been reopened and granted.,A 100 percent rating for PTSD is assigned, effective May 30, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested throughout the entire appeal period by a level of impairment most closely approximating occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the earliest available opportunity.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, including witnessing the shooting death of a Filipino boy and fear of hostile military activity during a Philippine riot, could not be verified. As such, service connection for PTSD under the revised regulation is not warranted due to lack of corroboration. The Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are attributed to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's PTSD did not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to April 9, 2012. For the period since April 9, 2012, his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded to obtain additional information from the Veteran, request his employer's disability retirement records, schedule a VA examination, and determine if any other psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his back and knee disabilities, as well as PTSD, were denied. The RO assigned the Veteran a 10 percent evaluation for chronic thoracic strain prior to October 31, 2005 and a 20 percent evaluation from that date onwards. For right patellofemoral syndrome, the Veteran received a 10 percent evaluation prior to August 22, 2011 and no higher. The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent disabling from May 16, 2004 to October 2, 2006, 70 percent disabling from October 3, 2006 to August 23, 2011, and no higher.,The rating criteria reasonably describe the level of severity and symptomatology of the Veteran's back disability and PTSD. The RO found that the Veteran’s knee disabilities did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying the Veteran's service dates. The claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence received.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and panic disorder, which had its onset during active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100 percent effective February 17, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.