PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's original claim was denied in 1994, and no additional evidence has been provided within one year of that decision.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 27, 2011. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating for the entire initial rating period from September 17, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have not been decided.

The Board found insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's AIDS to his PTSD, and denied service connection for the cause of death. The Appellant also argued that the Veteran was entitled to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for at least one year prior to death, but this claim is not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased apportionment of his compensation benefits on behalf of his dependent minor child was denied. The Board has determined that the procedural requirements have not been met and additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is not service-connected as it is considered a direct result of his military experiences. The bilateral foot disability was found to be preexisting and not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 50 percent since April 4, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code. Additionally, the Veteran withdrew his claim for a compensable rating for cognitive disorder NOS prior to the decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during treatment at the Southeast Georgia Health System Camden Campus on July 21, 2011 is denied because the condition was not a medical emergency and a VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have a diagnosis of PTSD and denied his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The claim for sleep apnea was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD have been manifested by chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, and hypervigilance. These symptoms suggest no more than occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 9, 2006, due to moderate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and bilateral eye disabilities. The evidence received since the February 1990 rating decision is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether service-connected PTSD and/or Agent Orange exposure contributed to the Veteran's cause of death. The Appellant will have an opportunity to respond before the claim is re-adjudicated.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood, due to symptoms like suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively. The Board granted a 70 percent disability evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is linked to a verified in-service stressor, and the Board finds that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD was dismissed due to his death.