Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate, thus denying entitlement to nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has remanded several issues on appeal, including service connection claims for various disabilities and an initial rating for fibromyalgia. The effective date of service connection for fibromyalgia is granted as May 13, 2010.

The Board dismissed all appeals except the claim for a TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was incurred during active military service and granted service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding lumbar spine, cervical spine, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, migraine disability, glaucoma, and cataracts. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability. The issues of service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, is being examined again to determine if it was incurred in or aggravated by his military service. For the acid reflux disability (GERD), a new VA examination will be conducted to assess its onset during service and whether it is related to his psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, previously claimed as a nervous disorder, is denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claim and concluded that the current condition did not manifest in or be caused by his military service.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent, as the evidence does not show flexion of less than 60 degrees or combined range of motion less than 120 degrees.,For the psychiatric disability prior to April 7, 2017, a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied. The Veteran's symptomatology has been consistent with that identified at the April 7, 2017 examination and most closely contemplated by occupational and social impairment with reduction in reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, bronchial asthma, a sleep disorder (including insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 30 percent, and his lumbar strain is rated at 30 percent. The combined rating of both conditions is 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the causes of the Veteran's disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including blood clots, sleep apnea, prostate cancer, high blood pressure, fallen arches, and a psychiatric disorder (PTSD), have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder distinct from PTSD, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). Therefore, these issues must be remanded to allow VA to obtain all available service treatment records and corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors. Additionally, the Veteran needs to have additional medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia has been reopened, and a 10 percent disability rating is granted. The appeal regarding TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete evidence and a canceled hearing. The claims for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, degenerative joint disease lumbar spine, right ankle disorder, coronary artery disease (claimed as heart attack and heart problems), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue regarding an acquired psychiatric disability is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and psoriasis need further examination to determine their etiology.