PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital on March 11, 2013 is granted due to the presence of service-connected disabilities and the emergent nature of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent and later increased to 50 percent. The current rating of 50 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression did not meet the criteria for a higher rating from August 30, 2001 to April 15, 2012. The symptoms were not severe enough to warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 30 percent disabling since September 6, 2012. The appeal for higher initial ratings is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and pes planus. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral hip disability, lumbar spine disability, increased rating for Reiter's syndrome, and TDIU were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is not etiologically related to active service, and his claimed sinus polyps and deviated septum, bilateral arthritis of the knees, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's PTSD made him demonstrably unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment from July 8, 1986, through April 30, 1992, and from July 1, 1992, to May 10, 1994.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding PTSD and a new VA examination for the right inguinal hernia scar.

The Veteran seeks an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, fibromyalgia, and right elbow disability. The evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of symptoms or impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The appeal for service connection was granted, but the criteria for an effective date prior to February 11, 2008 have not been met.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder, and lumbar spine disability. The Board also finds that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating effective September 6, 2007.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a possible VA examination. The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to April 18, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms worsened to a level consistent with a 100% disability rating on October 2, 2008. The effective date for this increased rating is set at October 2, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations, as well as a review of his TDIU claim.