PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on June 19, 2009 for treatment of abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dehydration, and a urinary tract infection at Midland Memorial Hospital are granted as the care was deemed emergent and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus and an initial evaluation for major depressive disorder with PTSD was granted. The issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for the psychiatric disability is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disability. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability remains in dispute.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of January 23, 1987.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim of alcohol abuse secondary to PTSD has been referred to the RO.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Friendship Manor Lakeside and considering whether medications for PTSD contributed to the Veteran's fall resulting in hip fracture.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50% from May 27, 2011 and increased to 70% from May 16, 2013. The current rating is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, based on a lack of diagnosed condition and insufficient evidence to establish a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the November 2011 VA examiner and providing appropriate notice regarding new PTSD provisions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and anxiety will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from February 11, 2010 to April 25, 2012 and at 70 percent since April 26, 2012. The right hand skin disorder is presumed service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service stressor and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The VA has granted a staged initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from February 10, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at this level.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a respiratory disability are granted based on direct evidence of an in-service event, without requiring additional stressor verification.

The Veteran's PTSD with Adjustment Disorder and Depressed Mood has been rated at 50 percent since September 25, 2013, based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 6, 2012. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 50 percent from March 1, 2012 to November 6, 2012 and at 30 percent prior to that.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. However, due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and the need to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disability related to his military service, the case is being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD and Major Depression, is granted service connection due to a link between his combat experiences in Iraq and his current symptoms.