Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental health disability, and if so, whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted service connection. Tinnitus is denied as not related to service. Hypertension is also denied as not related to service. Cardiovascular disorder (arteriosclerosis), kidney disorder, and diabetes mellitus are all denied on secondary basis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The appeal for service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to unverified stressors.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) will be granted if verified stressors are found.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in diagnoses and lack of relevant medical records. The issues include psychiatric disorders, throat disorders, chronic bronchitis, chest disorders, Barrett’s esophagus, ulcerative colitis, and GERD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for a personal/audio hearing before a Decision Review Officer (DRO).

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified psychosis disorder is granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD and MDD (which includes major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder), is denied. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability and remanded it for further development. The claims for service connection for schizophrenia and dementia are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypothyroidism are being reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities related to service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the service connection issues due to conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's TBI and its effects on his chronic fatigue, headaches, and psychiatric disabilities are in question.

The Veteran's recurrent callus right foot by ball began during active service and is granted. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other stressors that would support a grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and his mental health symptoms are attributable to a personality disorder. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection of schizophrenia, paranoid type. The Board found that the earliest valid claim was filed on May 17, 1978, and thus assigned a May 17, 1978 effective date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection. The Board also found that hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction are related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder claimed as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypertension due to lack of VA examinations addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical opinions and consideration of extraschedular criteria.