PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including translation of Spanish documents and potential extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating and earlier effective date for her service-connected mixed bipolar disorder with PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted, with diabetes mellitus type II being presumed due to herbicide exposure and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus established as a result of in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, are being reviewed to determine if they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted an initial 50 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective from November 30, 2007. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they more closely approximate manifestations of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating effective March 6, 2015. The previous ratings were maintained until that date.

The Board has reopened the claim regarding the character of the Veteran's discharge and granted service connection for PTSD with depression. The decision also addressed the severance of right ear hearing loss and termination of nonservice-connected pension, finding it improper.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 18, 2014. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms and impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including as due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have improved, allowing for a higher rating of 50% effective January 26, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital is denied as the inpatient rehabilitation treatment was not rendered pursuant to an emergency, and he has coverage under Medicare Part B.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 24, 2011. The Board has granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but total occupational and social impairment has not been shown. The criteria for a disability rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a supplemental medical opinion addressing the impact of his PTSD on his employment.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, as his claimed condition is related to his verified combat service during the Vietnam War.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of his claims from appellate status, and the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 14, 2010. The Board finds that the symptoms meet or approximate the criteria for a 70 percent rating throughout the appeal period.