Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her mild cognitive disorder due to a traumatic brain injury and schizophrenia, have rendered her unemployable/unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions alone or in combination with other non-service-connected conditions render her unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and further development of his claims, including for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and service connection for depression with anxiety.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residuals from a TBI and denied service connection for TBI residuals. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for tinnitus, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, GERD, right knee and left leg disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The preponderance of evidence shows that his symptoms are associated with his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, have been granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to IBS is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal of the TDIU issue has been withdrawn. The claim for an earlier effective date for his 100 percent evaluation for chronic schizophrenia is dismissed due to lack of legal merit.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, narcolepsy, and respiratory disabilities are service-connected. The acquired psychiatric disorder is presumed to have existed prior to service, but was aggravated by service. Narcolepsy and respiratory disabilities are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to lack of recent VA treatment records and an inadequate opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding a verified in-service stressor and to obtain an appropriate VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded both issues, including the service connection for a psychiatric disability and SMC based on need for aid and attendance. The appeal is not resolved yet as it will be decided separately.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable prior to March 6, 2015, and 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing for the issue of entitlement to a compensable initial evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are related and will be addressed after the hearing.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, and the Veteran's current condition did not begin during his active duty. The Board also could not establish aggravation of a pre-existing condition due to ACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Veteran also received a temporary total rating and subsequent increased ratings for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing at the local RO due to his request. The issues of overpayment and reduction of benefits are still under consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations to clarify the nature of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, right knee strain, thoracic lumbar strain, right ankle strain, and right shoulder strain.

The Board found no probative evidence that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is causally related to or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied her claim.