Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cases of low back disability and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded his claims for service connection for a low back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to a low back condition), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is now before the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral foot hallux valgus and psychiatric disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for initial compensable rating for right foot hallux valgus is denied, while the left foot hallux valgus and psychiatric disorder claims have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is reopened, and he is granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma with residual scars. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records, as well as examinations to determine the existence and etiology of various conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for further medical examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again as they may be related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, COPD, headaches, sleep apnea, arthritis conditions, eye disabilities, circulatory problems, neuropathy, radiculopathy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, hip disabilities, psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, and other unspecified conditions.

Service connection is granted for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine spondylosis, as well as other service-connected disabilities. The effective date for the award of service connection for hemorrhoids is set at November 29, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and for an additional VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders that may be present.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for bilateral knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to a lack of adequate medical evidence. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered on a de novo basis, and a new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a psychiatric disability. The Veteran is presumed to be sound upon entry into service, so any pre-existing conditions must not have been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular level, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran’s prostate disorder is currently rated 20 percent disabling, and a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.,The Veteran’s psychiatric disorder is currently rated 30 percent disabling, but a higher rating of 50 percent or more is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic low back pain and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of service connection for schizophrenia as of July 23, 1986. The Veteran contests his initial rating assigned for schizophrenia and the RO did not consider a prior rating. The matter is REMANDED for readjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. Additional development is needed for the remaining issues on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection.,Service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, cystic skin lesions, a respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of various conditions, including arthritis, back injury residuals, muscle neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression). The missing VA treatment records from April 1972 to October 2000 are needed. An addendum opinion is required regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability was aggravated by his second period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran needs to provide updated VA treatment records and be examined by an appropriate VA psychiatrist or psychologist to determine if he has any psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.