PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his employability due to service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA mental health records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation benefits was denied because he is already employed in a suitable position and does not have an employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 70% rating for PTSD effective from July 20, 2009 and has denied the claims for earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including prostatitis, memory loss, refractive errors of the eye, wrist condition, sinus bradycardia, hypercholesterolemia, ischemic heart disease, PTSD, sleep apnea, left elbow scar, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right hand middle finger acquired deformity, bilateral peripheral retinal degeneration with dysfunctional tear syndrome and vitreous floaters, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The claims were denied as there was no competent evidence of a service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent effective January 14, 2011. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms and occupational/social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO to schedule a video conference hearing at the Nashville, Tennessee Regional Office. The Veteran's claim for TDIU remains under appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether these conditions are related to events experienced during service. Service connection was not established for Polyploidy Dermal Nevus Head Lesions (benign neoplasm of skin).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he has service connection for tinnitus. The Board also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD and for readjudication of both his increased rating claim and TDIU claim.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals, which was deemed effective when received by the Board.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and depression, as new evidence supports a current diagnosis. The claims for hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and Parkinson's disease are also granted.

The Board has ordered a more contemporaneous examination due to changes in the Veteran's PTSD symptoms since his last VA examination, and requested that any mental health treatment records be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS, was granted. His appeal for a higher evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on January 23, 2011, were not for a medical emergency of such nature that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to his health. VA facilities were feasibly available at the time and he did not seek preauthorization from VA.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since June 3, 2004. His tinnitus is service-connected and rated as secondary to his hypothyroidism. The Veteran's bronchitis is not compensable but warrants a rating of 100%. Other conditions are either not shown or do not warrant increased ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 2008. The rating has been increased from the initial grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's PTSD and readjudication of his claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective November 30, 2007. The rating for PTSD alone does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in active service and granted. The right foot and left foot disabilities are still pending for increased rating.