PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration, including scheduling a hearing, providing proper VCAA notice, obtaining additional records, and readjudicating all issues on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no verified in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether service connection for PTSD should be granted, due to a lack of proper VCAA notice.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, concluding that there was no evidence of a verified stressor from active service and no diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, residuals of a fractured left great toe with DJD, and GERD with hiatal hernia. The veteran's service-connected conditions were found to be productive of no more than moderate impairment in the case of the left great toe and primarily manifested by pyrosis and regurgitation in the case of GERD.

The veteran's PTSD symptoms more closely approximate those which result in total occupational and social impairment, effective from February 16, 2005. A 100 percent evaluation for PTSD is granted as of that date.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is found to be secondary to her service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. The redundant colon issue was not granted, and the fibrocystic breast disease is rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's anxiety disorder, including PTSD, is currently rated at 50 percent disabling due to significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence, but finds that his claimed in-service stressors are not supported by credible supporting evidence. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service combat-related acoustic trauma and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The hearing loss claim was not adjudicated as it requires additional development.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence, despite acknowledging the occurrence of stressful events in Vietnam.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with agoraphobia was denied by the RO. The issue is not currently before the Board as a substantive appeal has not been filed.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to new evidence provided by the veteran, which includes a diagnosis of PTSD and supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors actually occurred. The claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD linked to in-service stressors.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left hip disability was rated at 40 percent, the right shoulder at 20 percent, both hands at 20 percent, PTSD at 30 percent, and a bilateral knee disorder claim is pending.

The veteran's claim for additional retroactive disability compensation based on the award of a total disability evaluation for PTSD is denied as a matter of law.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from February 2000 through October 2000 was denied because the care provided was not for emergency medical services and VA facilities were reasonably available.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible schedular rating of 100 percent, and he is entitled to a compensable rating for his right fifth finger fracture. However, he cannot receive TDIU due to the high rating for PTSD.

The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and the acquired psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder) are not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.