Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, sleep impairment, hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition for which service connection could be granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn by the appellant at her hearing. The claims of entitlement to service connection for lymphoma and skin cancer are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as clarification of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than March 24, 2011 for sciatica of the left lower extremity and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression) were dismissed. The claim for a compensable rating for obstructive sleep apnea was granted from May 20, 2015 to July 4, 2016 with a 30 percent rating, and from July 5, 2016 with a 50 percent rating. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 20, 2015 was denied due to the presence of other service-connected disabilities that precluded him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. From May 20, 2015 onwards, his claim for TDIU was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder). The decision found that new evidence did not establish a nexus to service in some cases.

The Veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder, to include depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety, resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to October 8, 2012. Since then, the symptoms have been productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, but his chronic bronchitis and acquired psychiatric disorder are each granted a 60 percent rating. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board also found a positive nexus between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and her in-service sexual assault, granting service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current symptoms to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to VA benefits for her child due to lack of qualifying active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the June 2015 decision, including a lack of discussion on depression and an inadequate March 2013 VA examiner's opinion. The Veteran is required to undergo another examination to determine if there is a superimposed disease or injury during service that resulted in disability apart from the personality disorder, and whether depression is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric, low back, and left knee disabilities. The case is now before the AOJ for further review.

The Board denied all the issues on appeal, including service connection for various conditions and reopening of a claim related to migratory polyarthritis or Reiter's syndrome. The Veteran did not have diagnosed left knee, left ankle, psychiatric, or heart disorders.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are etiologically related to his active duty service and therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was granted. The claims for increased ratings for the bilateral knees and for a sleep disorder were also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining opinions from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's service connection claims and her substance abuse disorder. The issues of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD and right leg disability are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU, and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that his service-connected conditions have rendered him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his motor vehicle accident and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not compensable, but his schizophrenia, paranoid type, has been granted a 100% rating.,His TDIU claim is moot due to the grant of a 100% rating for his schizophrenia.