Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board granted an effective date of October 30, 2002 for the award of SMC-AA based on actual need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected schizophrenia. The Veteran's sister and mother provided statements indicating he needed assistance from another person starting in 2006.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is remanded for additional development regarding hypertension, service connection for a psychiatric disability, and increased ratings for various disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, psoriasis, and acid reflux condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine and right foot disabilities. The claims for initial ratings on the lumbar spine and right foot disabilities, and for headaches are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, high blood pressure, headaches, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The appeal is also denied as to the requests for earlier effective dates for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeals pertaining to sinusitis and residuals of electrical shock. The remaining issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, and hypertension, are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of the case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder cancer is granted due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's November 2013 claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is a new claim rather than a motion to reopen. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private or VA treatment records and conducting a medical opinion regarding the relationship between any diagnosed mental disorders and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify service dates and obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues of service connection are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and thus TDIU is denied. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's employment status and to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period.,The Veteran's DM does not require insulin or regulation of activities, and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for DM cannot be prior to May 22, 2011 as it was granted on this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case as required by previous Board directives.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection, and the rating for hypothyroidism remains at 10 percent. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded.

Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's eczematous dermatitis remains at a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent, as he does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under alternative diagnostic codes. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied.,For tinnitus, the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is already assigned.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to warrant a compensable rating, and the service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (including depression and anxiety) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic back pain has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her claim.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, due to MST, was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking current psychiatric conditions to military service.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition due to new evidence. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the right hip disability.