PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Capital Regional Medical Center due to a mild bleeding condition, finding that it did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The COPD claim is related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in service, while the PTSD claim requires further examination due to conflicting diagnoses.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating from July 7, 2008 to July 15, 2009. A separate 10 percent rating for right lumbar radiculopathy is granted effective July 7, 2008 and a 20 percent rating is granted effective February 9, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of bilateral hearing loss. The issue of an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is also being remanded due to claims of CUE in the May 2007 rating decision. TDIU is also being deferred as it may be impacted by the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as incurred during wartime service. The claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD secondary to service in Vietnam is being remanded due to the need for a thorough examination and additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder are at least as likely as not related to his service in Kuwait during Desert Storm and Somalia, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a traumatic brain injury, increased ratings for neck and PTSD disabilities, and earlier effective date for total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, PTSD, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Board found that new evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's PTSD and related symptoms, including anxiety and depression, are rated at 50 percent effective June 5, 1969. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed. The Board also denied the TDIU claim prior to January 1, 2015.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and the aggravation of her pre-existing acquired psychiatric disorder during her second period of ACDUTRA. The AOJ is instructed to verify these periods and obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for post bilateral photorefractive keratectomy and PTSD with depressive disorder is remanded. The appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was granted.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for left iliac fracture, status post gunshot wound, left pelvis and left buttock (Muscle Group XVII) is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an injury to Muscle Group XVIII, compensable disability rating for head scar, and initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from prior to February 25, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination in August 2012, and his claim for a higher rating is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and schedule him for an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that no informal claim was received prior to August 9, 2010.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it was caused by or a result of military service.