Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to have been aggravated by service, warranting service connection.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as the evidence shows these conditions had their onset in service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD) is granted based on credible supporting evidence of a stressor that occurred during service.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is rated at 30 percent since May 24, 2013. The effective date for this rating remains to be determined as the AOJ has not provided one.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing and further development, including consideration of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C were not incurred or aggravated in service, and a psychosis may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. This includes obtaining records of any investigation regarding her reported military sexual trauma (MST) and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's headaches and cervical spine disorder are related to service, but his acquired psychiatric disability is not.,The Veteran's hair loss claim has no new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service.,There is no evidence of cardiovascular disability in service or otherwise linked to service. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of cardiovascular disability.,The Veteran does not have cold injury residuals to the upper extremities, lower extremities, or psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety disorder).,The Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disability did not originate in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Veteran does not have PTSD.,There is no evidence of stomach disorder in service or a current diagnosis of stomach disorder. The Veteran's IBS is not secondary to service-connected ankylostomiasis.,The Veteran's ankylostomiasis has been inactive and thus not resulting in any current manifestations of symptoms or impairment during the period of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board or videoconference hearing. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claims regarding the reopening of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a sleep disorder are being remanded due to issues with his current mailing address.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma was denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the current disability does not appear to be related to his active service. The claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C were also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and examining him for his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and anxiety. The Veteran's current diagnosis of major depressive disorder with anxiety is found to be related to his in-service treatment for depression. For the initial compensable rating claim for rhinitis, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a 10% or higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an inner head injury with a 10 percent rating effective August 21, 2001. The Veteran's claim is also granted for an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and providing updated VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, but dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis. The Veteran's schizophrenia is considered at least as likely as not having manifested during her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic acquired psychiatric disability, headaches and seizure disorder have been granted higher ratings effective June 21, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and allergies have been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and sleep apnea can be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain service treatment records and VA medical records, including those related to the Veteran's claimed conditions. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to a lack of wartime service.