Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability manifested in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to August 1, 2011 was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is pending. The effective date of the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been set at February 22, 2010, with a rating of 30% from that date and increased to 50% in July 2017. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent remains pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and depressive disorder, are found to be related to service due to continuous symptoms since separation. Service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder. The Veteran's claims were previously denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, bilateral cataracts, and acquired psychiatric disability are service-connected. The Board also found no evidence of peripheral vascular disease, diabetic cystopathy, or gastroparesis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to military service, and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any low back disorders are the result of his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and his in-service symptoms, thus granting service connection.

The Board found no credible evidence of a head injury in service resulting in TBI and scar, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for residuals of a head injury. The psychiatric disability claims are remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for groin trauma to the left testicle has been denied as there is no current evidence of a disability. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, right hand pain, right middle finger pain, and headaches are pending.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for dysthymic disorder and hypertension, both of which are considered direct service connections.,There is no evidence of a current ingrown toenail disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete treatment records from Highland Rivers Health Clinic and will need to obtain these records before making a decision on the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for various service connection claims, including those related to his throat disorder and diabetes mellitus, have been withdrawn. The claim for a throat disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for bipolar disorder was denied. The Board found that the December 2003 rating decision denying PTSD did not contain clear and unmistakable error, as there were no medical opinions linking his current psychiatric disorders to service at that time.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. However, the evidence does not establish that the Veteran engaged in combat or that his claimed stressor is related to a fear of hostile military activity. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an alcohol and substance use disorder was granted, and he is now entitled to this benefit. The effective date for the grant of service connection for social anxiety disorder is set at May 31, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA disability benefits records. A foot examination is also required.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of fractures of the fourth and fifth toes of the left foot, bilateral leg disability (lumbar radiculopathy), neck disability, and left hand disability. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder) is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is presumed to have entered service in sound condition and has a current acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis and acquired psychiatric disability are currently rated at 10 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.