Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hearing loss and service connection for PTSD were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss from June 20, 2012, with a noncompensable rating initially assigned, which was later increased to 10 percent effective June 20, 2012. Service connection for PTSD was not established.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the submission of new evidence since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The case will be returned for further review and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development of records and an addendum opinion from the VA otolaryngologist and audiologist.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's pre-existing gastrointestinal and psychiatric conditions did not worsen as a result of VA medical care provided in January 2006, thus the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are not met.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The maximum schedular rating has been assigned.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) in the March 2009 decision. The Veteran's claims were not reopened.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 70 percent, effective from November 22, 2013. The left leg disability and back disability are both evaluated based on their respective service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA records and scheduling the Veteran for a psychiatric examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorder is related to service. Additionally, he will be scheduled for a neurological examination to assess the severity of his left index finger avulsion laceration.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is denied as his service-connected schizophrenia does not meet the criteria for eligibility.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain his complete service personnel records and in-service mental health treatment records, as well as confirm the reported stressors. A VA examination is also needed to determine whether an acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military service and if a neck disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for breathing problems and a psychiatric disorder have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim of service connection for breathing problems.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The Veteran's claim for increased rating for Hepatitis C and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination to address the nature and likely etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his schizophrenia did not cause or contribute to his death and that there was no evidence linking his coronary artery disease to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, and bilateral pes planus; and a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected right ankle osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incorrect correspondence addresses, and requests that all relevant records be obtained. The Veteran's psychiatric, respiratory, skin, and joint conditions are being evaluated for service connection.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, requires additional development and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current diagnosis of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is etiologically related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical records, and an addendum opinion is needed from a VA examiner.