Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's complete service treatment records are incomplete and needs to be obtained. The claims for service connection will be remanded until VA can obtain these records.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 31, 2002, for the grant of service connection for paranoid schizophrenia is denied. The Board finds that there was no prior unadjudicated claim of service connection for paranoid schizophrenia.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia with episodes of psychosis and PTSD. Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than schizophrenia and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service. The effective date for the 30% rating for two vessel CAD is set at November 15, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for acid reflux as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea is denied.,The Veteran's claim for headaches is granted, with the Board finding that there is at least equipoise evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) is granted, as the Board finds his statements credible regarding in-service events and concludes that his current diagnosis of depression is related to these events.,The Veteran's claims for a left hand/wrist condition and bilateral foot condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claim for a left ear hearing loss disability is remanded for an appropriate VA examination, including consideration of aggravation by service-connected right ear hearing loss and/or tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for a respiratory disability is remanded for readjudication based on additional medical records.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia, finding that the casualty list from no-quarter.org was not a valid service department record.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for allergies and denied claims for service connection for liver disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), a right knee disability, and a left knee disability. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, clinical peripheral radiculopathy of the upper extremities, osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision also remanded several issues related to his right wrist disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder abscess, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of current disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder, COPD with asthma, and OSA. The acquired psychiatric disability claim is remanded due to conflicting diagnoses.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a current diagnosis of PTSD and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and potential conflicts in veteran status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder due to a lack of VA examination records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and psychiatric disorders, as well as his secondary service connection claims for GERD and erectile dysfunction. The cases are returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional records from SSA and VA treatment providers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back condition, bilateral ankle condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral eye condition due to his failure to appear for VA examinations. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiners' opinions. The Veteran's service treatment records are also being reviewed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, a seizure disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and right ear hearing loss. However, the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because he does not meet the schedular requirements for a current disability, and the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted as there is credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and a link between symptoms and service.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, and plantar fasciitis disabilities. The claim for eye disability (blurred vision) was also denied.,Service connection for sinus disability, pulmonary disability due to asbestos exposure, respiratory disability (residuals of pneumonia and restrictive lung disease), major depressive disorder, and PTSD were all denied.