Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The case is being remanded for further development and adjudication of the intertwined claims, including the claim for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. The Veteran's previously denied claim to reopen a service connection issue, as well as other service connection and increased rating claims are also on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, based on credible evidence linking these conditions to his in-service stressor.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD but granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (PTSD) while others were not (acquired psychiatric disorder).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service treatment records and a need to determine if further efforts to obtain them would be futile.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service. The claim for PTSD was not addressed due to the broadening of the issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and residuals of dental trauma, including a left maxillary cyst.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, associated with schizophrenia, undifferentiated type, was granted. The current disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is found to be etiologically related to his military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric and neurological disorders, as well as his brain stem stroke, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of lead poisoning or any other form of exposure in service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied the claim as there is no evidence of a valid diagnosis of PTSD. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric, hip, lumbar spine, and knee disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial disability ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder and other issues was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 50 percent for the period from July 1, 2010 to March 6, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney, including a polygraph examination report. The AOJ is also requested to obtain additional in-patient records of treatment for depression and substance abuse from the 1970s or 1980s.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is found to be related to his service in Vietnam. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and a sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea) were denied. The effective date for the award of service connection for tinnitus was set at December 10, 2009.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus prior to December 10, 2009, is not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess his psychiatric disability and rib fracture, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions as they are not related to his military service.