PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's spontaneous pneumothorax, right recurrent, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling and his PTSD is rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions, and the evidence does not support service connection for any of her claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 10% disability rating for scars of the forehead and chin was denied. The claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including PTSD with depression, were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Florida Hospital Waterman on May 5, 2009 is granted as the care and services were rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim regarding his character of service, but it is not clear whether his service from October 1972 through March 1974 was dishonorable for VA purposes. The decision on this issue remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess his current level of disability related to PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is being considered on its merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since May 14, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.,There is no effective date prior to May 14, 2012, for service connection of PTSD as the increase in disability was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service stressors. The issue of an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of his claimed in-service stressors, and therefore, he did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are related to his service, specifically his periods of INACDUTRA from January 2010 to September 2010, and ACDUTRA from March 7, 2011, to March 19, 2011. The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA examination to determine if his current gastric condition or acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's PTSD and diabetes. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and proceedings, including a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the current level of severity of PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also part of this appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to May 15, 2015 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent. On or after May 15, 2015, his symptoms met the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD has been granted, with the disability rated at 70 percent from April 8, 2008 to September 15, 2009 and from November 1, 2009 to July 28, 2011. Service connection for chloracne, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee osteoarthritis, and chin scar have been reopened.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 29, 2015, based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression and history of alcohol abuse is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability. The evidence does not support a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and an examination to assess his ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.