Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder during the period on appeal.,Service connection for postoperative herniated disc L4-5 with implanted spinal cord stimulator was granted, and the Veteran received a 40 percent evaluation effective December 2, 2011. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was denied.,Service connection for left leg disorder (claimed as secondary to service-connected back disorder) is remanded due to conflicting opinions on its etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his reported military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board has denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including mood disorder. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, requires further examination and review due to inadequate previous VA examination under DSM-IV criteria. The case is being remanded for a new examination conducted under DSM-V.

A higher rating of 10 percent is granted for service-connected hypertension. Service connection for psychiatric disability and back disability are granted, but left knee disability remains remanded. Other claims related to these issues are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, Hypertensive Vascular Disease (claimed as High Blood Pressure), and Diabetes Mellitus due to lack of a VA examination for psychiatric disorders. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, polysubstance abuse, and PTSD, is related to his service in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate disorder, urinary incontinence, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and 'nerves') due to service. The issues are related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is granted.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened. However, the claim remains denied as there is no confirmed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the unverified in-service stressor. The Board has recharacterized the claim as one for an acquired psychiatric disorder and ordered a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to link the schizoaffective disorder to military service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 50 percent or higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, hepatitis, hypothyroidism, and a psychiatric disorder due to insufficient development of evidence. The appellant's service records must be reviewed, and he must be examined by VA to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, left elbow condition, low back condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during service or are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and multiple sclerosis due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's atrial fibrillation is rated at 30%.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD. The claim is also granted as the evidence supports a relationship between the veteran's current psychiatric condition and her military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a mood disorder and PTSD. The claims for service connection for a back disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type 2 are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression, including bipolar disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder and depressive disorder, was incurred in service.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, speech impediment, headaches, and insomnia due to lack of new and material evidence.