Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in this case, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to address the appellant's claims for service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the lumbar spine disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating prior to July 31, 2014, but did meet criteria for a 20 percent rating beginning July 31, 2014. Ratings in excess of those assigned were not warranted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia, was granted a 50 percent evaluation from May 2, 2010 to March 19, 2014. Since March 20, 2014, the disability has warranted an even higher rating of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and exposure history.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, that is etiologically related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of a credible in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction for additional development, including scheduling a Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus. The case is remanded for additional development regarding bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA medical records and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to consider the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case (SOC) on all issues listed.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, vascular headaches, stress and nervous condition (psychiatric disorder), and gastroesophageal reflux disease are all granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, left foot and toe disorders, right knee disorder, and asthma are at least as likely as not related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining in-service hospital records and verifying his claimed stressors. A VA psychiatric examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of his mental disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied the claim on the merits. The evidence does not establish a causal relationship between the current diagnosis and active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and right ankle disability, finding new and material evidence. The claims are now pending on their merits.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected schizophrenia, chronic undifferentiated type is being remanded due to the need for new and contemporaneous VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted recognition of N. W. as a helpless child for purposes of receiving VA benefits due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is not service-connected.,Tinnitus was found to have begun in active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current asthma and COPD are not related to his military service, including in-service asbestos exposure or service-connected pleural plaques. The acquired psychiatric disability is also not related to his military service, specifically his service-connected pleural plaques.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and generalized anxiety, was granted effective February 26, 2013. Service connection for tinnitus is denied. Higher initial ratings for diarrhea (IBS) and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are also denied.