Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and are not otherwise related to active duty service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder at any point during the pendency of the claim.

The Board dismissed the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 22, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and PTSD are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations related to his bilateral foot disability, heart disability, and TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a VA examination to determine the etiology of various disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, enlarged heart, thoracolumbar spine DDD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are all remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination. The claim for Chiari Malformation has been denied previously.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right hand disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as there is no evidence that it had its onset in service or is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical records and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including a mood disorder, was not incurred in or due to his time in service. Service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis or residuals of fractured shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a concussion or fracture of the skull causing mental instability with memory loss or bipolar disorder and resulting in an aneurysm, headaches, and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD) due to additional evidence being needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, is rated at 70 percent since October 24, 2007, to April 21, 2009. The rating for the service-connected psychiatric disorder was increased to 70 percent from April 22, 2009, to June 12, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, right foot numbness, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to her period of active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for a neck condition as the evidence does not establish that it is related to her military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's periods of active service and to obtain any outstanding military personnel records. The Veteran also needs VA examinations for his claimed disabilities, including neck disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was granted with an effective date of August 24, 1996. The original claim was filed within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The VA treatment records from April 2013 to the present must be obtained. A VA examination will also be conducted to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied service connection for scoliosis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was also not granted service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus remains pending as it is currently rated at 10%.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) was also denied because the evidence did not establish a relationship between the condition and military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and TB disability have been granted service connection, with the TB disability receiving a 100% rating since April 27, 2011. The diabetes mellitus type II claim for secondary service connection has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches from March 3, 2015, to August 2, 2018, was denied. The Veteran also had his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) denied due to lack of a verified stressor.