Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is denied. The low back disability has been rated at 20 percent, and the right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has also been rated at 20 percent. The psychiatric disability has been rated at 50 percent. TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability has been rated at 70 percent since September 12, 2016. The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to verify his service in New York from September 11, 2001 through December 2001 and to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed sinus disability, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a stress fracture of the left proximal tibia is dismissed as he did not file a timely appeal within one year from the date of notification of the decision.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for service connection for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 50 percent since March 4, 1999. An earlier effective date for service connection and a dependency allowance are granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg thrombophlebitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and depression), bronchitis, Hepatitis C, and a separate right leg disability. The claim for increased rating for neck disability is also denied as a matter of law.

The Board denied reopening the claim of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been received. The Veteran's preexisting gastrointestinal disorder was found not to be aggravated by active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and bilateral hearing loss. The psychiatric disorder claim is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, PTSD), and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, as well as his reopenings of claims for acquired psychiatric disabilities, forehead lacerations, and right knee disabilities have been considered. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to support these reopened claims.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, and the Board finds that service connection for PTSD is denied. The appeal regarding the reduction of the migraines disability rating is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hepatitis C, prostate cancer, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders did not begin in service and are otherwise unrelated to service, leading to a denial of his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and PTSD, was denied as there is no established link between his current diagnoses and his in-service passive-aggressive personality diagnosis. The Board found that the Veteran did not appear for a VA examination scheduled to clarify his diagnoses and provide etiology opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The lung disorder claim is also reopened as new and material evidence was received.,Regarding hearing loss, a VA examination was conducted in March 2014 but did not consider the Veteran's exposure to loud noises during his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims are granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder, and other conditions. The appeal is based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and unclear nature of the Veteran's psychiatric diagnosis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and urethral problems. The medical evidence is at least in equipoise with regard to a showing of an etiological relationship between the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability and her service-connected removal of the uterus and both ovaries, as well as her current urethral problems.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and MDD. The Veteran was treated for mental health issues during his time in Panama and continues to receive treatment for these conditions post-service.