Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear notification of potential evidentiary sources for verifying an in-service personal assault, and the need for a VA psychiatric examination to clarify the diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the low back disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and seizure disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral eye disability, diabetes mellitus, Type II, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. Additional VA treatment records from 1993 to 2000 are needed, as well as VA examinations for the knees and mental health conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records, specifically VA treatment records from September 2010 forward. The Veteran is advised to provide these records.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's claims for back condition, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD remains pending as the stressor verification process is ongoing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder NOS and PTSD), and residuals of ocular trauma are all granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The issues of service connection for gout, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type 2, and heart disorder are remanded. Service connection for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diverticulitis, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), headaches, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, high blood pressure, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The prostate cancer claim is remanded as verification of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA periods is needed. The inextricably intertwined psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied because the schedular criteria were not met, and there is no evidence of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia and depression, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or related to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between any current mental health condition and active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations related to his hearing loss, sleep apnea, heart disease, prostate cancer, stroke, and psychiatric disorders. The effective date of service connection remains unresolved.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent prior to January 6, 2017.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence, but the issue is remanded for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, requiring a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, and the claim for a temporary total rating due to hospitalization for PTSD. The Veteran's low back injury is also remanded for further examination.