Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as clarification of his Gulf War service. The issues include multiple musculoskeletal and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bladder infection, residuals/complications of pregnancy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) as there is no evidence of ongoing disabilities or conditions related to her in-service experiences.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the appellant was incapable of self-support prior to his 18th birthday. The appellant needs to be examined by a clinician who will assess his physical, intellectual, and psychological disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding his disabilities were redundant of previous evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder and mood disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been reopened, and the Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for left knee cartilage impairment. The issues of service connection for low back disability, right ankle disability, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, and for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to February 27, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for diabetes mellitus. Another VA examination is needed for both issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for tinnitus, PTSD, and sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and eye injury have been remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claims of service connection for alcoholism, arthritis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for speech disorder, tinnitus, headache disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and balance disorder as secondary to residuals of mild traumatic brain injury due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection and ratings are moot.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, breathing-related disability, and lower back disability are granted. The Veteran is denied for higher initial ratings or earlier effective dates for her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as service-connected due to in-service stressors and consistent with combat service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder also claimed as memory loss was granted. Other claims were remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for further examination. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional medical records and verifying stressful events during service.

The Veteran's requests to reopen their service connection claims for a left shoulder disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence in the form of VA treatment records, lay statements, and private medical opinions that supports the presence of current diagnoses related to these conditions and links them to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle strain has been granted.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. However, his claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (dysthymic disorder) was denied as there is no direct evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is considered related to his in-service parachute malfunction injury.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as they are not yet fully developed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left hand arthritis, hypertension, residuals of a head injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and tension headaches. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding records and schedule VA examinations for the appropriate conditions.