Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and restored the Veteran's 40 percent rating for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritic changes. The appeal regarding the propriety of reducing the 40 percent rating to 20 percent is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection claims for lumbar L4-L5 disc degeneration and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a review of the Veteran's duodenal ulcer disease and psychiatric disorder claims. The TDIU rating claim is also pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed back disability and psychiatric disorders. The claims will be further developed by obtaining additional Reserve duty records, conducting a VA examination to determine the nature of any current disabilities, and examining the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial evaluation for service-connected bilateral tinnitus is denied.,All other issues are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. Specifically, a VA examination and opinion are required in order to determine if his hearing loss, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and stomach condition are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The heart disorder claim is related to a surgical procedure performed during active duty, while the psychiatric disorder claim requires development of stressor verification.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran seeks service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his right humerus fracture residuals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale provided by a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it arose during active service. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine degenerative disc disease is dismissed.,Issues related to TBI residuals and bilateral vision disability, sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), left upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and increased ratings for depressive disorder and PTSD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to military sexual trauma. The VA will provide additional examinations and opinions to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, and the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for hearing loss is granted. Service connection for low back disability, allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, and ED are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar warts of the left foot is granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety neurosis and PTSD, is denied.

The Board denied the claims for service connection of bilateral pes planus, right eye astigmatism, schizophrenia, tinnitus, and a right leg condition due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for a right leg condition was also REMANDED.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The case was remanded for further examination and treatment records regarding eczema.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for a thoracic spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD claimed as secondary to the thoracic spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and other conditions are granted service connection. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's VA treatment records will be reviewed, and a VA examination may be required.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to incomplete examination reports and lack of consideration of certain evidence. The Veteran's brother's lay assertions, his own statements, and service treatment records are relevant to the claim.