PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) at the Cleveland, Ohio Regional Office. The Veteran failed to report for her scheduled hearing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD became permanently and totally disabling on May 31, 1995. As a result, an effective date of May 31, 1995 is granted for the award of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at United Medical Center from June 5, 2006, to June 7, 2006 is denied as the Veteran had other health care coverage under a health plan that would pay in whole or in part.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that there is no current diagnosis of either condition, and the medical evidence does not support a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Board is unable to determine whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD due to missing SSA records. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that the stressors claimed by the Veteran have not been verified and requires further investigation.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including verifying his alleged Vietnam service and obtaining additional medical opinions regarding his hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is associated with in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity, and the Board finds service connection for PTSD is warranted.

The Veteran's daughter is not eligible for an extension of DEA benefits beyond May 24, 2000 due to her age and the fact that she was past her 31st birthday.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 29, 2005. The Board has determined that the disability warrants a 100 percent rating throughout the period of this claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no medical evidence diagnosing PTSD in accordance with VA regulations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to June 21, 2004 and 70 percent thereafter. The rating of 50 percent has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 30, 2005, due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and his current psychiatric symptoms are less likely than not related to his service, including his in-service stressors. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to January 24, 2006 and the Board has granted this rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and his tender scar residuals of gunshot wound are rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher evaluation for PTSD but not for the tender scar.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from May 4, 2007 through May 10, 2007 were covered by Medicare or private insurance. The VA did not provide immediate care due to the availability of a VA facility and the Veteran refused transfer to a VA facility.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in a disability picture that more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not manifested by total occupational and social impairment.