Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his throat/vocal cord condition and because he has submitted a Notice of Disagreement with respect to other issues. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and did not find new and material evidence to reopen the claim of major depressive disorder. The case is being remanded to attempt verification of stressors related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal concerning his increased rating for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, rated as 40 percent disabling. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatica of the left lower extremity is denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board granted a 10 percent extraschedular rating for his service-connected lumbar strain, effective from January 13, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and inconsistencies in the Veteran's self-reported symptoms.

The combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities has rendered him unemployable/unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the schedular requirements for TDIU eligibility.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and mood disorder, is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service assault. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD and his sleep apnea. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's schizophrenia was rated at 50 percent prior to April 2, 2015 and the Board granted a higher rating of 100 percent effective from August 28, 2009. The TDIU claim is moot as the disability has been rated high enough for the purpose of TDIU determination. An effective date of August 28, 2009 was assigned for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, currently diagnosed as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, was incurred in active service due to a sexual assault.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is causally related to events during active service and granted her claim.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD with depression and bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is pending for Throat Cancer, Thrombocytopenia, and Pseudophakia, Status-post Bilateral Cataract Removal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from his time in prison and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. However, the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residual scarring from acne is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a history of acne during her military service, which resulted in scarring on her face.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety), finding new and material evidence. The appeals are granted to this limited extent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder that may be present. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, is due to his service-connected TBI. The remaining issues of service connection for a bilateral eye disability and left knee disability are denied.