Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted as there is now credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service acoustic trauma and service connection has been granted.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations. The Veteran’s current symptoms do not warrant an increased rating.,Diabetes mellitus type 2 is characterized by restricted diet and use of oral hypoglycemic agents, but no additional complications are present to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with chronic fungus infection of the feet during service. A VA examination is needed to determine if this condition was incurred in service or due to another service-connected disability.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is currently present, but further evaluation by a medical professional is required to determine its etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and his TDIU claim. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder or headache disability related to his service-connected hearing loss, as well as to assess his employability.

The Board has not granted service connection for PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded the case to obtain additional medical opinions and updated treatment records.

All appeals are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed due to the Veteran's arguments regarding the increasing severity of his mental health symptoms, which may indicate PTSD not previously diagnosed or detected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 10, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar, cervical, and acquired psychiatric disorders as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines have been granted an initial 50 percent rating, effective December 21, 2018. The Board has also remanded several other issues for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's incarceration and failure to respond to VA examination requests. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, will be reconsidered after necessary development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for lumbosacral or cervical strain, right knee strain, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and gout have deteriorated to the point that he is unable to perform the essential functions of a manager or related field, necessitating further evaluation for retraining in another employment field.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased rating for residuals of a stress fracture of the left proximal third tibia, and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and verification of claimed stressors. The Veteran is also scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disability, BHL, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The case is remanded to determine if his current diagnoses are related to service and/or TBI.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and acquired psychiatric disorder, including recurrent major depressive disorder with psychotic features and depression NOS, are granted. Service connection for scars is denied as the effective date prior to April 17, 2013 cannot be established. The TDIU claim is remanded due to lack of a completed VA Form 21-8940 and incomplete SSA disability records. Service connection for tinnitus and carpal tunnel syndrome are also remanded.

Service connection for left arm carpal tunnel syndrome is granted as secondary to service-connected right arm disability.,An increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right wrist disability (post-traumatic arthritis) is denied.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's left arm disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.,Anxiety reaction prior to April 25, 2016 was denied for a higher rating.,A 70 percent disability rating for anxiety reaction effective from April 25, 2016 was granted.,A 100 percent disability rating for anxiety reaction effective from July 11, 2017 was granted.

The Veteran's heart disability, which includes aortic heart valve disease, was granted a 100% evaluation effective from September 23, 2013. The Veteran's depressive disorder and hypertension were not found to warrant higher initial evaluations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records from Fox Army Hospital and mental health treatment records. The VA will also provide an opinion on whether any of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his active duty service, including a reported in-service sexual assault.