Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further examination is required.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to cervical spine, low back, left hip, and psychiatric disabilities are inadequate for decision-making purposes. The Veteran must be provided with addendum opinions addressing whether his current conditions are secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a degenerative bones disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been dismissed.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, and back disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back, right hip, right knee, left knee, and right ankle conditions, as well as sleep disorder due to inextricably intertwined with other pending claims. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for pes planus and increased disability ratings for other conditions. The Veteran's claims are pending further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, are being reviewed due to lack of VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back condition has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and schedule an examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its related complications, as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's back disability and endometriosis are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, breathing disability, memory loss disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome due to service-connected seizure disorder is denied as there is no diagnosis of the condition.,Tardive dyskinesia is not considered secondary to service-connected seizure disorder, as it is a known side effect of psychiatric medication prescribed for his seizures.,There is insufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran had a traumatic brain injury in service. The claim for this issue is denied.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are not found to be due to military sexual trauma or secondary to service-connected seizure disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but the claim for a higher rating has been denied due to lack of valid audiometric results.,Prior to December 22, 2017, the Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).,Since December 22, 2017, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including paranoid schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and polysubstance abuse. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records and arrange for an addendum opinion from a mental health professional.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including paranoid schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and polysubstance abuse. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records and arrange for an addendum opinion from a mental health professional.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depression have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been granted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for myasthenia gravis is remanded as additional VA medical opinion is needed regarding its onset and relationship to his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Depression, is remanded as a new VA examination is required to determine the nature of these disorders and their relationship to service or other factors.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine with radiculitis, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess its current severity.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for inguinal hernia is remanded as additional VA treatment records are needed.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for prostate cancer residuals (including incontinence) are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of recent medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to unclear evidence regarding current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, as well as insufficient information on the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is acknowledged, but further examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), a neck disability, and hiatal hernia with GERD are all remanded. The Board will consider new evidence submitted since the last final rating decisions to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in September 2007, but reopened due to new and material evidence. The claim is still denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran died from metastatic bladder cancer with coronary artery disease contributing to his death.

The Veteran's TBI and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) have been granted service connection. His headache disorder and right trigeminal neuralgia are not rated higher than the current 30% assigned, as there is no evidence of very frequent prostrating attacks or severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to clarify whether the Veteran had an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and dementia, related to his active service. The claim for malignant melanoma is still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unverified in-service stressors and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, a cervical spine disorder, and headaches.