PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is currently rated at 70 percent, effective prior to July 19, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 70 percent for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition. For PTSD, the Board finds that the current rating of 50 percent adequately reflects the severity of the disability as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD has not more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, right eye conjunctivitis and vision loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety), and headaches have been granted. The claim for increased rating for right cornea scar has also been granted with a 10% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the symptoms described. The claim for TDIU prior to December 14, 2010, has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent prior to June 11, 2012 and increased to 70 percent effective June 11, 2012.,VA granted a TDIU rating for the period prior to June 11, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and verifying in-service stressors. The Veteran will also be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including consideration of additional VA treatment records submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his period of active service, and the Board finds service connection for tinnitus is warranted.

The Board has directed that the Veteran be provided a VA social and industrial survey to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The case is now REMANDED for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are causally related to his military service in Vietnam. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected as a result of an in-service personal assault, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his PTSD claim and TDIU claim, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The claims will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hip disability and an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Veteran does not have a current hip disability or any diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent evaluation effective November 17, 2014. The TDIU issue is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Hays Medical Center on June 18, 2013 were not reimbursable as the treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were readily available.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and prostate cancer, and did not address the hearing loss claim. The Veteran's PTSD is found to be unrelated to his service, while his prostate cancer is presumed not incurred in service.