Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral diabetic retinopathy with history of cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, lung disorder (bronchitis and asthma), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining personnel records and clinical records from his in-service hospitalization.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CVA and hypertension, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The claim to reopen the issue of service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple claims regarding various disabilities, including knee issues, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, allergies, back pain, sciatica, and hearing loss. The case is being remanded for a live hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to appear at her scheduled VA examination. Additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and medical nexus opinion, is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has already granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including recurring major depressive disorder, secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. As this issue is moot, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain service treatment records, verify alleged stressors, and provide a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 60 percent disability rating. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to evaluate his lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim will also be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal must be remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing, as he did not attend the previously scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and the need for additional medical records. The Veteran's mental health condition will be evaluated, and his eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits will also be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and will reconsider them after obtaining additional STRs.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, headaches, and gynecological disorder. The psychiatric disorder claim is reconsidered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulosis, hypertension, a psychiatric disorder, GERD, and H. Pylori as there is no evidence of their onset or continuity in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination to determine the relationship between her psychiatric disorders and service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asthma was granted, with a 30 percent rating effective August 16, 2010. The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder remains at a 50 percent rating. No new housing or home adaptation grant is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for a right knee disorder. The claim to reopen a right knee disorder was also denied. The decision did not address the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence.