PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a higher rating of 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Cape Coral Hospital on June 14, 2017 is denied because the treatment was not authorized by VA and there were no emergency conditions that would have required immediate attention. Additionally, VA facilities were feasibly available to provide care.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran needs to provide additional private treatment records, a statement of the case is required, and a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected IVDS.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service member's mental state at the time of his offenses and discharge, as well as incomplete personnel records for his Army Reserve service. The Appellant is asked to provide VA Form 21-4142 for treatment related to her deceased grandson's psychiatric conditions, and VA must obtain all relevant service and personnel records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 8, 2015 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (sub-threshold PTSD), is causally or etiologically due to service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection, but the effective dates for these conditions are denied. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30%.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum available rating. The bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and TDIU due to the need for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 17, 2010. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that prior to May 15, 2017, his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and the right shoulder, ankle, and foot disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder and anxiety, and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate examinations and lack of medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as they are related to service. Additional medical examinations will be conducted to determine the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment for the periods specified, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, right ankle sprain, healed right arm scar, and costochondritis, rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's stressors for PTSD, and he is asked to provide additional details. The VA will also obtain relevant treatment records and schedule him for a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left shin splints are rated at a higher initial 30 percent, but no greater. Service connection for PTSD is denied.