Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The appeal of the issue of service connection for migraine headaches is dismissed. The claim to reopen a psychiatric disorder, including schizoid and bipolar disorders, is also dismissed as new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has determined a 70 percent disability rating is warranted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder throughout the period of the claim, subject to criteria applicable to payment of monetary benefits. The issue of entitlement to an increased initial rating for a heart disability remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gout was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were both denied as there is no evidence of current disability within one year after discharge from active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, thoracic spine, bilateral hip, left knee, and neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, all secondary to a right knee disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and a vocational rehabilitation folder. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for ovarian cyst condition with pelvic pain, as well as her claim for an initial 50 percent disability rating for acquired psychiatric disorder, will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding private and Social Security Administration records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a heart disorder are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including rhinitis with itchy throat and pharyngitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral glaucoma.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his hip and knee disabilities, Gulf War illness, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, hypertension, heart disability, scars associated with a heart disability, headache disability, and psychiatric disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and remanded it for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. A VA examination is also required to determine if the condition is related to active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and schizophrenia, but denied reopening of other issues. The initial disability ratings have been granted or denied as appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for breathing problems due to pneumonia, an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, and a higher rating for his stricture of Urethra. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding his left toe disability. The claims for increased ratings on right knee disabilities remain pending.

The Board has denied reopening the claims for PTSD and a psychiatric condition, to include schizoaffective disorder, bipolar subtype due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claim is remanded for an additional VA examination related to his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records from 2004 to present. The Veteran's complete VA treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. The right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the back disability is rated at 20 percent, while the left lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 10 percent. The TDIU issue is still pending.