PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date, finding that no communication prior to November 2, 2009 could be interpreted as a formal or informal petition to reopen the PTSD with major depression claim. The Veteran's original claim was denied in December 2001 and did not include any new evidence. Subsequent attempts to reopen were also unsuccessful.

The Board found no evidence of in-service stressors or service connection for PTSD and anxiety. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including bipolar disorder, were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. His TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted an initial increased rating for PTSD. The claim for TDIU was not resolved in this decision.

The Board found no evidence of a confirmed in-service stressor for PTSD and concluded that the Veteran's anxiety disorder, not PTSD, is service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of verified in-service stressors. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of prostate cancer, finding that there was no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for panic disorder as part of PTSD was granted.,Service connection for panic disorder is established as part of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 80 percent, which meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that further development of the record is necessary to comply with VA's duty to assist the Veteran in the development of facts pertinent to his claims, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred as a result of emergency room treatment at Boswell Memorial Hospital on May 1 and May 2, 2007 are granted due to the nature of the care being in a medical emergency, his receipt of a TDIU rating, and VA facilities not being feasibly available.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 10, 2009. He is also entitled to TDIU effective from the same date.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD in accordance with the criteria set forth by VA regulations, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the purpose of obtaining additional private treatment records related to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines and for an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and anxiety disorder) are pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and nonspecified trauma or stressor-related disorder, is found to be related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus disability remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination and genitourinary specialist examination to address the issues of service connection for Peyronie's disease and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied due to a lack of current diagnosis. A new VA examination is required to clarify the diagnosis and determine its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a hearing. The primary issue remains the claim for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder and PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported in-service sexual assault stressor has not been verified and does not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of credible supporting evidence. The Veteran was diagnosed with a personality disorder in service, which is considered non-service-connected, and he does not have a currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder related to service.