Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his left inguinal hernia and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and for psychosis for purposes of establishing eligibility for treatment, finding that there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a bipolar disorder, and to include as secondary to service-connected migraine headaches; entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches on an extraschedular basis; and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) by reason of being housebound. As such, the Board must dismiss these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection.,The Veteran was granted nonservice-connected pension benefits due to over 90 days of active wartime service and permanent total disability.

The Veteran does not have any acquired psychiatric disorder of service origin and the claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant records and providing addendum opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorder and low back disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder has been rated at 70 percent since June 15, 2006. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral knee disorder, and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current hip or low back conditions and his military service. His acquired psychiatric disorders were also not linked to his service. For his Achilles tendonitis claims, he did not meet the threshold requirements for increased ratings. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as well.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability or GERD. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to military service or sexual harassment. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after this development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a head injury.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his service and whether it was made in error or is currently in remission. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder pre-existed service and was not permanently aggravated by service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and an increased rating for his headache disability. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain his complete service treatment and personnel records, including any disciplinary actions. An additional VA examination is also needed to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder that may be present.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been withdrawn. The claim for hepatic steatosis was denied as the disease is not related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a head injury, but has determined that new and material evidence does not establish service connection for any psychiatric disability or left eardrum disability. The Veteran's current conditions are linked to his pre-service head injury, which is considered aggravated by service.