PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure. His bilateral hearing loss is also service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with TBI and traumatic encephalopathy, along with other nonservice-connected conditions, necessitates the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has determined that this meets the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for post-operative residuals of uterine fibroids. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD based on personal assault, is being remanded as the evidence does not support a grant at this time.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain VA treatment records and conduct a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a rating of 20 percent effective February 23, 2015. The claim for an increased rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are related to his service, particularly his time in combat in Vietnam. The decision grants this claim by resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective September 19, 2012. The Board has granted a higher rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of increasing his PTSD rating is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is service connected, but his penile disability (erectile dysfunction) is not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period beyond June 29, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to October 22, 2009. From that date until January 26, 2016, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability related to service, and there is insufficient evidence to corroborate an in-service incident of military sexual trauma (MST). As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD and depression due to MST is denied.

The case is being remanded to obtain a social and industrial survey, which will assess the combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from May 1, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD with mood disorder NOS and alcohol abuse was rated as 30 percent disabling prior to January 6, 2011. The rating has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and an etiological opinion regarding any diagnosed psychiatric disorder. The issues include determining whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is related to his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has found that a higher evaluation is not warranted. The Veteran also received a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD alone, and he was granted SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are related to his military service. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating from November 7, 2012 to September 9, 2014. The appeal is now remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA evaluation by a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.