Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran is granted TDIU and has a combined disability rating of 90 percent, meeting the criteria for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, hand disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, bilateral hip bursitis, skin disorder, right shoulder disorder, and alcoholic pancreatitis are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her amputated left leg and bilateral foot disability, result in a need for the aid and attendance of another person. She is also entitled to specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant due to her severe lower extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to assess his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if any current psychiatric or low back disorders are related to service, including inservice complaints and diagnoses.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric disorder. The claim for left knee arthritis and instability is pending.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature of any current psychiatric disorder and whether it is related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for personnel records, VA treatment records, and TRICARE healthcare insurance records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability was reopened and granted with an effective date of May 6, 2008 due to the identification of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disability underwent a permanent worsening during service, beyond the natural progress of the condition. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia. The Board also found that the Veteran's schizophrenia is likely related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no verified in-service stressor event, and the diagnoses did not meet the criteria for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of a pre-existing injury or chronic condition during service. The most recent VA examination did not find clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disability, were denied. The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids claim was also denied.,The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 20% from October 10, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back disability and pes planus, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.