Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for hemorrhoids and service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The Veteran's incarceration prevented him from receiving a VA examination, which is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for reopening of his PTSD service connection has been granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for right ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (including major depressive disorder). However, further examination is needed as the Veteran's low back disability may have worsened since his last VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, hip, and lumbar spine disabilities as well as his claim of entitlement to an increased rating for herpes simplex. The Veteran's psychiatric disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, bilateral knee arthritis, GERD, and chest pain.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to insufficient evidence, including for an acquired psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, neurological disabilities of the upper extremities, and other issues. The appeal does not involve any service connection decisions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, likely PTSD, was granted. Service connection for tinnitus and hypertension were also granted. However, the claims for a cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and other conditions remain denied due to lack of new material evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service.,Multiple issues regarding hip, knee, and ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various psychiatric disorders and other conditions. The main reasons are that VA examiners have not provided sufficient opinions on whether these conditions are related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 100% and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is denied. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding the Veteran's tuberculosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist condition, left ankle condition, skin condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection and all rating claims, including TDIU, for the claimed conditions. The Veteran's diabetes is not related to his military service. His acquired mental disorder, left knee disorder, heart disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right middle finger disorder are also not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot disability, urinary stress incontinence, and residuals of a miscarriage to include secondary depression. The Veteran's testimony was found credible and the benefit of doubt was afforded due to missing service records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include unspecified depressive disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnoses and active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and sleep apnea. The claim for increased rating for history of hyperuricemia with recurrent gouty arthritis is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include back disability with sciatica, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The claim will be reconsidered with additional examination and analysis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of legal briefs submitted in January 2017 and August 2017. The Veteran’s attorney requested that both briefs be combined into one decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his left ankle disability has been remanded due to the failure to consider actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD with anxiety and depression) is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for a medical opinion regarding the cause of death. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which was determined to be an overdose in service.