Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating higher than 30 percent for a psychiatric disability and for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which the Board finds requires additional development.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to lack of new and material evidence.,New evidence submitted since the last denial does not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims, nor does it raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective September 10, 2013. The symptoms and overall impairment caused by the condition more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to the need for updated treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the low back disability, and because a decision on one could significantly impact the other.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal for a higher evaluation for tinnitus. The remaining issues (shin splints, IBS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of worsening in his hearing loss or a link between his migraines and tinnitus, nor could it establish a continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a change in diagnostic criteria and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's loss of a right testicle is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is rated at 20% prior to February 5, 2015 and at 40% thereafter. The appeal for increased ratings remains pending.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Board also referred the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus to the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's left foot disorder, cervical spine DDD and spondylosis, and psychiatric disorders (depression and PTSD) are all remanded for further review. The cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to May 9, 2017, and the rating remains at 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as the need to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse), and Hepatitis C due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a liver disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, both secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The VA examinations conducted in February 2016 did not adequately address all pertinent medical questions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of recent SSA records that could provide additional information about his disability status.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot condition, Meniere’s syndrome, sleep issues, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder with panic due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of March 4, 2008. The original claim had been denied in August 1998 and the Veteran withdrew her claim in October 2004 before it could be reopened.