Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The issue of nonservice-connected pension is remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted. The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim, but remanded it for further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash of the hands has been denied as there is no indication in the record that he has been diagnosed with this condition at any time during the course of his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorder, remains pending due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, left shoulder disorder, and cervical spine disorder have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors and there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.,The Board also denied service connection for hepatitis C, concluding that it was related to the Veteran's intravenous drug use before, during, and after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need to verify a claimed in-service stressor and obtain another VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service-connected. Service connection for Hepatitis C remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 20 percent for impairment of the left clavicle or scapula due to new evidence. The Veteran's PTSD stressor is related to his service, but further examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right ankle disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability and an increased rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD). The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for left knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis is granted. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating due to the presence of flare-ups during which he cannot use his knee at all.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include back condition, bilateral hearing loss, skin condition (presumed due to Agent Orange exposure), and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to November 1, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and depression, hypertension, inguinal hernia, and headaches due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for schizophrenia is granted. The Board has also remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims of PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right foot, and right knee disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and a permanent and total rating for pension purposes, but denied service connection for psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder and depression), insomnia, sleep impairment, and memory loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck and spine pain, constant muscle pain, constant diarrhea, lung disorder, skin rash, headaches, leg disability, and loss of memory due to potential Gulf War exposure. The Veteran will be provided a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his service.