PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to March 14, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and MDD are causally related to stressors in service, which have been corroborated by credible supporting evidence. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, dysthymic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder), finding that there was no in-service injury or event related to these conditions, nor continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to try and independently verify the Veteran's claimed stressor and determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining in-service mental health clinic records and seeking more current post service psychiatric treatment records. The claims will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board also found that there is credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and a link between current symptoms and those events, thus granting service connection for PTSD. However, further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has any other psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) due to service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on September 15, 2009 at Lake City Medical Center were reimbursed because the treatment was for a service-connected condition (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent and he has been granted a TDIU effective July 2, 2008. The Board remanded the case to determine earlier effective dates for these decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on her military sexual trauma and fear of hostile military activity during her deployment in Iraq.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are found to be related to his in-service combat experiences. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated at a 50 percent rating prior to December 19, 2012. The Board granted an evaluation of 70 percent disabling for the period beginning December 19, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be so severe that it prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current sleep apnea did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The Board also determined that it is not etiologically related to a service-connected disability, specifically PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total impairment. The disability rating of 70 percent was granted for the period from November 16, 2001 to January 22, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unemployable for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. A VA psychiatric examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, effective September 25, 2007. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has expanded the issue to include entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. Further development is needed, including a VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and leg cramps are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the May 2007 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD.