Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.,PTSD was not diagnosed based on a verified stressor event in service, and the Veteran did not have PTSD due to fear of hostile military activity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, was rated at 30 percent from April 21, 2009 to January 30, 2015, and at 70 percent thereafter. The Board found that the disability picture more nearly approximated a 70 percent rating for most of the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted as of May 9, 1995, based on the combined disability rating meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizophrenia and coronary artery disease, necessitate aid and attendance of another person due to his need for medication compliance. As a result, SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA records and a medical opinion from a psychiatrist to determine the nature of his current psychiatric disabilities and their likely etiology.

The Veteran's low back disability has been granted service connection, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease or arthritis.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) to include as secondary to personal assault is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with verifying a claimed in-service stressor for PTSD and additional examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left wrist sprain and right ankle sprain was received on April 10, 2014. The Board finds that the earliest claim for entitlement to benefits for both a left wrist sprain and a right ankle sprain was received on April 10, 2014.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and anxiety), cervical spine disability, hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and low back disability are all related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims require additional information and evidence, specifically regarding his exposure to herbicides during service. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder was not incurred in or caused by his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for medical opinions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, to include PDD and Personality Disorder, clearly pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disability as defined under the applicable diagnostic criteria. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that his obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety, and OCD either began during service or were otherwise caused by service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all pending claims before the Board.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood from November 28, 2008 to December 2, 2015. The decision granted a disability rating of 50 percent for this period.