Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression and a mood disorder, is found to be related to his service in the Republic of Afghanistan. The claim for GERD is remanded due to missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection and rating for his disabilities are not addressed as this is a procedural issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's migraines, neck disorder, and psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing request and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that his current disability is related to in-service noise exposure. The hearing loss and psychiatric claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and schizophrenia, finding that new evidence supports her claim. The psychiatric disorders are found to be related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), a leg disorder, and a back disorder has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need to verify stressor events and obtain additional evidence. The appeal will be returned to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if evidence in the Veteran's service records indicates that she may have been sexually assaulted during service and whether it caused or aggravated her schizophrenia or any other mental disorder found on examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current adjustment disorder with depressed mood is not caused by or permanently worsened in severity by his service-connected right foot disability.,The VA examiner opined that the current osteolysis disability in the 4th right toe is not caused by, or permanently worsened in severity by, his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran seeks an effective date prior to September 24, 2008 for the award of TDIU. The Board has determined that further development is needed to consider whether entitlement to a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis should be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a psychosis, was first manifested during service or within one year of separation. Service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for either condition.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the thoracolumbar disability rating was improper and void ab initio, while denying increased ratings for headaches and a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims have been dismissed due to her death. No service connection was granted or denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep disorder, and heart disorder related to Agent Orange exposure are all granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is medical evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision is being remanded to obtain relevant service treatment records, verify any in-service stressor, and obtain VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied service connection for PTSD. The issues of TDIU are remanded as they are dependent on the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues regarding a rating in excess of 60 percent for COPD and TDIU are being remanded.