PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and additional medical records. The issues of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II (presumptive due to Vietnam service), heart disability, and neurological disability are on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with the exception of his PTSD claim which resulted in a rating in excess of 70 percent. The other issues were resolved favorably.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and potential need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied, but his service connection for PTSD was granted with a December 14, 2007 effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD was productive of serious but not total occupational and social impairment, with symptoms such as depression, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, occasional panic attacks, poor concentration, and psychomotor retardation. The Board found that the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent were not met.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as sleeping difficulties, depression, anxiety, irritability, and nightmares. These symptoms result in occasional decreases in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Board finds that the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to be totally disabling since March 10, 2005, and therefore he is entitled to a 100% disability rating for this condition. As his PTSD also precludes him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment, he is also granted TDIU effective from March 10, 2005.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating prior to July 1, 2009, and it has not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent since that date.

The Veteran seeks payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Eye Center in Denver, Colorado on January 17, 2007. The NAPC has approved payment to Swedish Hospital for emergency treatment related to a fall injury and referral to the Eye Center. However, without records from Swedish Medical Center regarding the Veteran's return visit, the Board cannot determine if the Eye Center treatment was part of the approved emergency care.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at a separate initial evaluation of 10 percent, effective from the date of the decision. His head injury residuals have been assigned a 30 percent rating since July 1947.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated due to service and the evidence does not support a presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a TDIU benefit.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor that conforms to the DSM-IV criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating prior to October 15, 2008; an increased 70 percent (but no higher) from October 15, 2008 to September 7, 2010; and 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease, as well as a psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder, are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. Further development is needed including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors are sufficient to cause his current psychiatric symptoms and whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service. The claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with her documented active duty service and establishes a diagnosis of PTSD related to her World War II experiences.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including PTSD, hypertension, and rectal bleeding. The claims will be reviewed based on the results.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating for dental disability. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for this purpose.