Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is related to his active service. The claim for psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left ear injury and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and granted a higher rating of 30 percent for GERD. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, tinnitus at 10 percent, and bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, undifferentiated type, has been granted a rating of 70 percent effective April 23, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to a 100 percent disability rating from April 23, 2009.

The Board has ordered additional development for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations to address his cervical spine, right hand, lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claims. The Veteran will be provided with a comprehensive examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no verified in-service stressor sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a joint condition was previously denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (unspecified depressive disorder). The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% since June 3, 2015.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and readjudication due to failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome are found to be related, with the latter aggravating the former. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU prior to August 20, 2012.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and found no causal link to service. The left knee disability was also denied as not related to service.

The Board finds sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a psychiatric disorder, with the latter being related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is also granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatica.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and posttraumatic headaches are denied. The Veteran's TBI is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has granted reopening of the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new evidence received since the prior denial is material to these claims.,Service connection is now established for a heart disorder. The Veteran's current heart disorder is found to be causally connected to his in-service rheumatic fever.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies are found to be due to herbicide agent exposure, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and chloracne of the back and right leg are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board determined that the December 1999 rating decision assigning a single 10 percent rating for bilateral knee disorder was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.,Service connection is granted for an eye disorder (dry eyes).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and non-service connected pension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying his service dates.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.