Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and denied nonservice-connected pension benefits. The claim of entitlement to TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the clear and unmistakable error in the December 1993 rating decision that granted a 30 percent rating for schizophrenia, paranoid type.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia and tinnitus are attributable to his active duty service, granting the claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder and any other psychiatric disorder rendered during the pendency of the appeal. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a skin disability, including as due to herbicide agent exposure, are not before the Board.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD), bilateral foot disorder, cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee/leg disorder, left knee/leg disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The Board found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and left eye nerve damage, finding that there is no link between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9413. The other conditions have not been granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and opioid use disorder. The claim for a higher rating for acne scars was denied, but the TDIU issue is remanded.

The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a TDIU effective May 12, 2011. The rating of 40% is assigned for the acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for left knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's right knee disability is not considered to have caused or aggravated his current left shoulder condition.

The Board has received notification of the appellant's request to withdraw his appeal, and as such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity popliteal nerve injury with foot drop is rated at the highest available rating without violating the Amputation Rule. His SFW scars are not compensably rated due to their static nature.

The Board has decided that a remand is needed due to the need for another VA examination to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, as evidenced by in-service noise exposure and current hearing impairment. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back, left knee, left shoulder, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, is denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the Veteran's current diagnosis of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was more likely related to his childhood abuse rather than his in-service events. Service connection for ischemic heart disease as a result of exposure to herbicide agents is also denied.