PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and information regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and employment information, as well as for a VA examination. The case will be reconsidered with consideration of extra-schedular considerations if applicable.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain records related to a non-judicial punishment and other service personnel records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and PTSD, as well as to evaluate his service connection claims.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have most nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a 100 percent schedular rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and prostate cancer residuals have been granted higher initial ratings, with the PTSD rating now at 100% effective July 15, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and the VA examinations found no evidence to support a PTSD diagnosis. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. However, the Board granted service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, finding that the evidence supported a finding of continuity of symptomatology since military discharge.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU were denied as the earliest possible effective date is January 26, 2004.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by total occupational and social impairment, due to panic-like symptoms, irritability, social isolation, poor concentration, and severe depression. The Board grants a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD prior to July 18, 2011.

The Veteran's effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits is set to May 3, 1984, the date he was granted a 100% rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus due to his request for withdrawal of these claims prior to a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at the maximum available rating of 100 percent since September 30, 2002.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred during service due to noise exposure. Service connection for PTSD is granted, but the initial rating remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by sleep impairment, mild short-term memory loss, mildly restricted affect, depression, and anxiety in public situations. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against an increased rating of 70 percent for the service-connected PTSD at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. This includes obtaining additional VA treatment records, verifying the in-service stressor, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Halifax Health Medical Center on June 29, 2009 and June 30, 2009 were denied as the treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health. VA facilities were located within reasonable distance from his home but he did not attempt to use them.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to cause his death due to congestive heart failure.