Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a copy of his DD-214 and any outstanding medical records. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tension headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was due to a service-connected psychiatric disorder, which is presumed to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service in Vietnam. The Board found the evidence to be in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's undiagnosed PTSD contributed to his suicide by gunshot wound.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right eye disability, but found that it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that TDIU should be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of her right foot disability and service connection for headaches, left foot disability, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that she had lost use of her right foot or that her symptoms warranted an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, fibromyalgia, schizophrenia, and PTSD as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than dysthymia, to include PTSD. The claim was reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened and granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, low back disability, neck disability, parotid gland neoplasm, radiculopathy of upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, radiculopathy of lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability can be adjudicated. The Veteran will need to provide new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for his service-connected low back disability, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for PTSD related to military sexual trauma, chronic bronchitis, asthma, COPD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for psychiatric disorder, residuals of a head injury, tinnitus, right eye disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are not etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to a lack of reserve service records. The Veteran's claim will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder. Service connection for a heart disability is denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically paranoid schizophrenia, is found to have manifested within one year of his qualifying active duty service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining SSA records and readjudication. The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for schizophrenia remains pending.

The Board has vacated the May 2017 decision denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's claim is granted as his MDD began during active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The acquired psychiatric disability claim is pending.