Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Board has granted an effective date of June 25, 1992 for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The appeal is based on a direct service connection and not due to any presumption or exposure basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a separate sleep disorder and his migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran was entitled to service connection for schizophrenia, which is a direct service connection as it was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 24, 1998 and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected schizophrenia were denied. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a groin disability. The claims remain denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder was not caused or aggravated by his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disorder and other service connection issues due to procedural errors, including failing to schedule a videoconference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and lung cancer, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the PTSD claim and that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure or a link between lung cancer and service.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease was initially rated at 10 percent prior to January 10, 2013 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The Board finds that a 30 percent rating is warranted for the initial period.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn due to his request for a hearing before RO personnel. The case is now dismissed as the issue of service connection for a pulmonary disorder/COPD has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability, asbestosis, and acquired psychiatric disability remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including verifying in-service stressors related to PTSD, obtaining a VA examination for his acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and requesting additional medical records from SSA and private sources.

The Board has expanded the issue to include any mental health disability that may reasonably be encompassed by the Veteran's reported symptoms and other information of record. The case is now REMANDED for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The Veteran's claims are supported by credible evidence of in-service noise exposure and stressors. Service connection is also granted for alcohol abuse secondary to the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, lung nodules, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. The claim for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and consideration of his service connection claims. The Veteran seeks to establish service connection for PTSD and higher evaluations for his left scapulocostal syndrome and duodenal ulcer.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder was not manifest during service or attributable to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's morbid obesity and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updating the record with any relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability that is attributable to his military service.