Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The increased rating claims for knees and the psychiatric disorder are remanded, as well as the claim for service connection for colon cancer and headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia, major depression, and psychosis due to new evidence being requested. The PTSD claim is also remanded as the Veteran's response was illogical and unresponsive.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disorder, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to consider all submitted evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, were denied. The Board found that new evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Board has also determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected status post bilateral inguinal hernia repairs, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for scars associated with his inguinal repairs is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for chronic b-cell leukemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and tinnitus due to potential in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's VA medical records must be obtained, and a VA examination is required to determine if he has any current blood disorders or other disabilities that may be related to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's death was due to ALS, and he had already received RH insurance. The appellant applied for SRH insurance on behalf of the deceased, but since the application was not filed during his lifetime, eligibility is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. The claims of service connection for various conditions, including bone islands, red blood cell condition, high liver levels, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), high muscle enzymes, joint pain, teeth loss, back and spinal degeneration, sinusitis, asthma, fungus of the feet, deformity of the toes, left foot, deformity of the toes, right foot, and sleep apnea are remanded due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with schizophrenia and alcohol abuse is rated at a 70 percent rating for the period prior to March 10, 2016.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for TBI and related issues, including psychiatric disorder, dizziness, speech impairment, fatigue, and dull headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, a psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and mood disorder), and a heart disorder (including coronary artery disease).

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, personality disorder, and impulse control disorder. The Veteran should be provided with a VA examination to determine the etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence. The Veteran's conditions include hypertension, gout of the feet, anemia, splenomegaly, onychomycosis, psychiatric disability, left shoulder condition, right thumb disability, left knee disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, and a sebaceous cyst.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for herpes simplex virus and tinea pedis is denied. The Board has also remanded the cases of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and rating for tinea pedis from September 25, 2015 onwards.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further development and opinion regarding the Veteran's left hip condition and acquired psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for asbestosis and remanded the claims of service connection for tongue cancer and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,For the tongue cancer claim, a VA examination is needed to determine if it had its onset in service or is otherwise related to any in-service disease, event, or injury, including possible herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot claims have been reopened due to new and material evidence. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is granted as it relates to major depressive disorder which was aggravated by service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are denied.

The Veteran's initial claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The rating assigned will be determined after further review.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was denied, while claims for service connection of tic disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders were granted. The Veteran's headaches are currently rated as noncompensable but the Board has remanded to determine if a TDIU is warranted based on his newly service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an inguinal hernia, bilateral ankle disorder, insomnia, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) due to lack of evidence supporting service connection.,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions as there is no credible evidence linking them to military service.