Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder and the Board finds that there is no current disability at any time during the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in a previous VA examination report and the need for additional medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are granted. Service connection is established for hand tremors, bilateral wrist disability, reactive arthritis with sacroiliitis residuals, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right shoulder inferior labral tear with acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease. Increased evaluations are assigned.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition related to his military service.

The Veteran's non-service-connected psychiatric disability does not render him permanently and totally disabled from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing the Veteran's attorney a copy of all adjudication performed and allowing time for response. The claim will be readjudicated after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are etiologically related to his service-connected left elbow and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a representation issue. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was rated at 30 percent prior to September 29, 2013. As of September 29, 2013, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee instability, and right knee limitation of flexion has been granted. The TDIU issue is part of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for burns to the hands, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a sleep disorder. The issues regarding back, right knee, right shoulder, left shoulder disorders, and left knee disorder were reconsidered but also denied on the merits.

The Board found that an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include adjustment disorder with mixed anxious and depressed mood, is etiologically related to the Veteran's military service. Fibromyalgia was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's lung cancer, presumed to be due to asbestos exposure during service, is granted for accrued benefits purposes.,The Veteran died of mesothelioma and lung cancer. The cause of death is considered service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability present, as well as evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the right hip and lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board determined that there is no current diagnosis for a right knee disability, and the left knee injury during service did not result in chronic residuals. The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms were noted but no specific diagnoses of anxiety or insomnia were found.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disorder, psychiatric disorders, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Fuchs' dystrophy and cataracts, sleep apnea, hypertension, migraines with hyperventilation and blackouts, psychiatric disorder (depression with anxiety symptoms), and keratoconus have been denied. The maximum rating of 30 percent has been assigned for migraines.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted. The claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cardiac disorder have all been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and further review of the Veteran's claims.