Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for vision loss of the left eye, balance disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and memory loss) due to incomplete/inaccurate factual premises in previous opinions.

Service connection is granted for PTSD, but denied for glaucoma. The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is linked to his service in Vietnam, while his glaucoma is not related to herbicide exposure or diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran's schizophrenia first manifested during a period of active duty for training and whether it is related to such service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to herbicide exposure, were denied as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left bottom foot condition, sleep apnea, TBI and an acquired psychiatric disability due to issues with character of discharge and outstanding service records. The appeal will be reconsidered after these matters are resolved.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is considered to have started during his active duty training, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and a rating of 60 percent, but not higher, for bronchial asthma. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, dizziness, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and abdominal scars are remanded.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened due to new and material evidence. The claim for a left big toe disability (claimed as frostbite residuals) is also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) are remanded for further development.,Hypertension is remanded for further development.,Left and right wrist disabilities are remanded for further development.,,

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral cataracts, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) due to inadequate opinions in the March 2012 VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to April 12, 2016 was denied. The appeal is REMANDED as there are issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial evaluation of his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine from April 12, 2016 is also REMANDED due to issues with service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for GERD was denied as there is no current evidence of a digestive disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, and he is now receiving a 100% disability rating for bipolar affective disorder since May 23, 2011. The appeal of the original PTSD claim has been dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions including back disability, head injuries, hysterectomy, and psychiatric disorder. The cases are remanded to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for his heart disability. The claims for these conditions are based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for non-psychiatric residuals of a TBI, finding that there are no current disabilities related to this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection due to incomplete records, need for additional examinations, and need to verify stressors. The issues of TDIU are also inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his military service.

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

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, duodenal ulcer, hepatitis C, chronic liver disability (secondary to hepatitis C), diabetes mellitus (secondary to sleep apnea), and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression) have been dismissed.,Service connection has not been established for any of the conditions listed.