PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with MDD and adenocarcinoma of the lung, prevent him from securing or following gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during service, and the Board finds that his PTSD is also related to in-service stressors. The right ankle disability has been granted a rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining records from SSA and a psychiatric examination to determine if the Appellant has PTSD related to his service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), and skin disability. The underlying service connection claims for bilateral foot disability and bilateral leg disability are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Englewood Community Hospital on December 11, 2013 is denied as the treatment did not constitute a medical emergency and a VA facility was feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and TBI, as well as completion of a VA Form 21-8940 (Application for TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease is granted from July 1, 2016. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder) remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied as they did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to Persian Gulf War exposure or other qualifying chronic disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to December 27, 2011 was denied. The Board also denied the claim for TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is productive of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, anger, panic attacks, and sleep disturbances to include nightmares. The VA examiner found the Veteran has occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood; however, there is no total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to January 8, 2014. From January 8, 2014 forward, the Veteran experienced more severe symptoms resulting in deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and depressive disorder due to his military service are supported by the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD as a result of a verified in-service stressor, and therefore service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder disability, arm and wrist disability, neck disability, back disability, leg disability (including varicose veins and blood clots), lung disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, memory loss, sleep disorder), and hip disability. The Board found the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities prior to October 14, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was insufficient information to corroborate his claimed in-service stressors, and no supporting evidence of an in-service stressor was provided.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from March 13, 2008 to January 14, 2014. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD and also denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating due to service-connected disabilities from September 27, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, loss of use of penile functionality, cardiac disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and hepatocellular carcinoma due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand. The effective date is not specified as the claim was granted based on presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to February 23, 2010 and in excess of 50 percent from February 23, 2010 to January 30, 2012. The appeal is granted for the period prior to February 23, 2010.