Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's IBS has been productive of severe impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a 30% disability rating effective July 28, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left hip disorder, acute gastritis, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, testicle varicocele and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) has been withdrawn. When resolving the benefit of the doubt in favor of the Veteran, he has been diagnosed with PTSD with depression due to combat stressors incurred during service in Iraq.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder prior to July 10, 2013 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has been notified that the appellant wishes to withdraw her appeal regarding the effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the identification of relevant medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension are remanded.