Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for low back disorder. The issues of service connection for cervical spine condition, bilateral foot condition, right shoulder condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia and depression, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and determination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a deviated septum, claimed as a disability of the nose, is dismissed. The Board has remanded cases involving low back disability, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD), and initial compensable evaluation for bilateral tinea pedis/tinea unguium.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic prostatitis, cervical myositis, lumbar myositis, and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The AOJ must obtain VA treatment records from 1997 and any private treatment records related to his prostate condition in 1997. They are also required to provide the Veteran with release forms for these records if they have not already been obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural errors and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his character of discharge during his second period of service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective date claims, and TDIU claim due to incomplete development of records and need for further medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete medical records and lack of a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, reactive airway disease with bronchitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder with depressed mood and anxiety) incurred during the Veteran's period of active duty service.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and scars on the chest was denied. The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to service. The Veteran will need to provide private medical records and VA will request additional service personnel and medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (including alcohol abuse, PTSD, depression, anxiety) due to incomplete service records. The AOJ is required to obtain all relevant service treatment records and personnel records from January 1960 to January 1990. They are also instructed to clarify the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. Additionally, a psychiatric examination must be conducted to assess the nature and etiology of any current mental disorders.

The Board has remanded two issues: hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include ADHD and insomnia. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are being reviewed due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain records from Brooke Army Medical Center and for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to an in-service sexual assault.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further development, including scheduling the Veteran for another examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, low back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability have been granted.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, which was initially rated at 30 percent and later increased to 70 percent in March 2015, is denied for ratings higher than these levels.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified trauma and/or stressor related disorder. The claims of service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.