Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to military sexual trauma. The evidence now shows that her PTSD and other mental health conditions are more likely a direct result of her in-service MST.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased evaluation due to incomplete records, unclear dates of active duty periods, and need for medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the appellant's discharge and psychiatric history. The AOJ is instructed to consider whether the conditional discharge from his period of service may be considered under other than dishonorable conditions, given only one instance of misconduct occurred during that time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, cataracts, erectile dysfunction, loss of smell and taste, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during service or any other basis for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability aggravates his knee and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a fracture of the left collarbone due to lack of current disability. The claims for dental disorder, sinus disorder, asthma, respiratory disorder (claimed as pneumonia), and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable disability rating for loss of teeth is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine condition, left knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's reduction of the rating for post-concussion cephalgia (headaches) from 10 percent to 0 percent was not proper, and his rating is restored. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and evaluation in excess of 10 percent for post-concussion cephalgia are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for Parkinson’s disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure in service is denied.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure in service is denied.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to ischemic heart disease is denied.,Bilateral knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and residuals of spider bite on the right hand are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection for skin condition is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, back disability, and right knee disability. The appeal concerning PTSD was also dismissed.,Service connection for these conditions was granted in an April 2018 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and insomnia).

Service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for schizophrenia, previously granted in August 1983 with a 30% rating, is maintained but the effective date of the grant is changed to May 16, 1980.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature, extent, and frequency of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis due to new evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder calcific tendinitis and impingement syndrome was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for carpal tunnel syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a gastrointestinal disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to May 19, 2016 for a TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to this date. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities alone were insufficient to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

This decision grants the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claim for reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is granted, based on new evidence indicating possible PTSD diagnosis. The claim for reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for stomach disorder (claimed as GERD) is also granted, due to the presence of GERD diagnosis.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability rating was reduced from 20% to 10%, but this reduction is void ab initio. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and TDIU claims are remanded for further evaluation.