Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and bipolar disorder), due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are also remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current or previously-diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.,The Veteran has multiple issues on appeal that require further examination and review.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and factitious disorder, finding that the Veteran's reports of in-service stressors are not credible due to his diagnosed factitious disorder.

The Board has determined that an updated VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, as his current symptoms may be related to undiagnosed PTSD from service. The Veteran's previous diagnoses of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and adjustment disorder are in conflict with a potential diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of evidence. The Veteran is asked to provide additional information about his theories of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to outstanding service treatment records, need for VA examinations, and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial higher rating of 10 percent for left knee pellegrini-stieda syndrome (instability) is granted, effective November 18, 2010. The other service connection claims are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for residuals from a head injury, diabetes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as there was no evidence of current disabilities or that they were incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus was denied. The reduction of the left knee disability rating from 20% to 10% was not proper, and restoration of the 20% rating is granted. A higher (compensable) initial disability rating for right knee surgical scars is denied. An increased disability rating higher than 30% for residuals of right knee torn meniscus with chondromalacia is denied. An initial disability rating higher than 70% for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is denied. An initial disability rating higher than 10% for lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis is denied. An initial disability rating higher than 10% for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied. The effective date earlier than July 1, 2014 for the award of a 30 percent rating for the right knee disability is denied.

Your appeals have been dismissed because you requested to withdraw your appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a trauma and stressor related disorder, and associated depression is granted.,Service connection for GERD secondary to service-connected mental disabilities is granted.,Service connection for hemorrhoids secondary to service-connected GERD is granted.,Heart disability and polyps are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. However, a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current mental health disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claim for lumbago claimed as lower back condition and arthritis due to a lack of supporting evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability has been reopened, but the Board finds that there is not enough evidence to grant service connection at this time.,The Veteran's tinnitus was rated 10% and denied an increased rating. The appeal on this issue is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, an eye disability, a kidney disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depressive disorder due to new and material evidence. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms, including PTSD, are related to his service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of psychiatric, headache, right eye, left shoulder, and neck disabilities due to new and material evidence. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection for schizophrenia and left ear hearing loss is granted, while his claims for back condition, neck condition, and bilateral knee condition are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a lack of an adequate and timely VA Form 9 in response to the November 2015 Statement of the Case.