Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee, lumbar spine, and psychiatric disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The VA is required to obtain relevant medical records, verify in-service stressors, and provide further examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 15, 2010. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The claim for service connection for PTSD is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including schizophrenia, is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and lower left extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, has been granted as it is linked to his military service.,Service connection was established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder) due to the Veteran's reported experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia was denied in 2001, and the Board finds no legal basis to grant an earlier effective date.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's claim for psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no competent medical evidence to show that he has any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizoaffective disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his active military service. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was granted, and the Board found that agent fees in excess of $97.60 are not warranted due to a lack of timely notice of disagreement on the issue.

The Veteran's son, G.B., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to various disabilities and thus meets the criteria for recognition as a helpless child.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information and conduct further examinations.

The Board has recharacterized the issue on appeal as encompassing a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's service connection claim is remanded due to incomplete medical records and notification issues.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorders, as well as obstructive sleep apnea secondary to the acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and complete a VA Form 21-4142 for names of physicians who treated you.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities of the right hip, right leg, right foot, left hip, and right knee did not result from service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not related to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for excessive weight gain has been reopened. Service connection is granted for chronic headaches, but denied for spine condition, swelling of joints, acquired psychiatric disorder, stomach problems, and bowel problems.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's stressors, lack of VA examination for psychiatric disorders, and need for verification of National Guard service. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a stroke and an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, substance abuse, and an acquired mental disorder (including depression and/or anxiety) due to insufficient explanation of the VA examiner's opinion regarding a significant threshold shift in the Veteran’s hearing acuity during service.