PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and dysthymia). The decision on the latter two issues is pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 29, 2012. The rating is granted as the disability results in deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's current depression is caused by his service-connected prostate cancer, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected MDD with psychotic features and anxiety disorder, NOS is currently rated at 70 percent. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to August 17, 2010 and in excess of 70 percent from August 18, 2010 to January 25, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD was not productive of occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms prior to April 24, 2008. Since then, the disability has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from Biloxi, Mississippi. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right foot onychomycosis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcohol abuse is caused by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) have resulted in no more than a 10 percent disability rating, and his headaches are separately rated. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for TBI or a compensable initial disability rating for headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for IBS was denied as the earliest date of entitlement is March 8, 2013.,PTSD ratings were denied with a staged rating from September 18, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD with major depression and panic disorder, and agoraphobia is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The appeal for TDIU remains on hold until the increased rating issue is resolved.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but is not productive of deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 50 percent, but his seizure disorder and left ear hearing loss were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD, and providing proper VCAA notice regarding his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim. The Veteran's PTSD is linked to in-service stressors related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from the Veteran.