PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS was found to meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating prior to November 9, 2012. The appeal is not about service connection and thus does not involve any presumption or exposure basis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted effective June 18, 2003. The condition is considered to be of the 'direct' service connection theory.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection of hearing loss and an increased evaluation for PTSD, thus the Board dismisses these claims.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as early as August 21, 2007.

The Veteran is granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Schizophrenia, Paranoid type, which are found to be related to his military service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and issuing a notice letter regarding individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcoholism has been rated at 50 percent, effective March 31, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinion from a February 2012 VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination of his PTSD and further information on his employment history.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from October 2, 2012 to October 3, 2012 are now reimbursable due to the emergent nature of his condition and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep apnea, and bilateral eye disability are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and GERD, as well as service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. The effective date of these decisions is October 12, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner who provided the April 2014 opinion. The addendum opinion must address if any diagnosed psychiatric disability clearly and unmistakably pre-existed the Veteran's active duty and, if so, whether any identified disability was not aggravated thereby.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 30, 2009. The current rating is based on the criteria for a disability picture that more nearly approximates total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and insomnia as secondary to PTSD. The remaining acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety not otherwise specified, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and cannabis dependence, are being considered on a secondary basis.

The Veteran was granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective February 21, 2006. The Board found that the earlier effective date of February 21, 2006 is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder had its onset during service or was caused by service.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which likely preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.