Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and an increased rating is denied.,The effective date for a 80 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss has been changed to January 6, 2014. The earlier claim for this increase in disability is remanded as it cannot be granted prior to the date of treatment on January 6, 2014.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including major depressive disorder is being remanded due to a lack of VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-V.,The Veteran's bilateral patellofemoral syndrome of the knees, left Achilles tendonitis, left elbow olecranon bursitis with spur, and right shoulder impingement with degenerative joint disease are all rated at 10 percent each.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities due to the possibility of relevant SSA records not being included in the claims file.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted service connection. Service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury and other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. However, the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for both the claimed seizure disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to a seizure disorder) due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability and TBI, but granted service connection for tinnitus.,Service connection was granted for acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The highest schedular rating of 60% was granted for neurodermatitis, but no other condition received a positive decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of death and burial benefits due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between schizophrenia and the Veteran's death. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional evidence and arrange for a VA examiner to provide further opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee condition, sleep apnea, hypertension, acid reflux, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and nightmare disorder).,The Court vacated the Board's decision on the increased rating for cervical spine disability and left ankle disability. The issues of service connection are inextricably intertwined with PTSD.,The Court also remanded the claim for hypertension and acid reflux due to their relationship with PTSD. Additional development is needed regarding gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,The Veteran's representative noted that he was taking issue with VA examinations provided in January 2012 and June 2015, which would encompass the rating period for the 30 percent rating.,The Court also remanded the claim for an increased rating higher than 30 percent for cervical spine disability effective from January 2, 2014. The Veteran's representative noted that he was taking issue with VA examinations provided in January 2012 and June 2015, which would encompass the rating period for the 30 percent rating.,The Court also remanded the claim for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for left ankle disability. The Veteran's representative noted that he was taking issue with VA examinations provided in January 2012 and June 2015, which would encompass the rating period for the 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is reopened due to new evidence showing a link between his service-connected sinusitis and his headaches. The claims for higher ratings for various disabilities, including psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, hemorrhoids, appendectomy residuals, scar of the right middle finger, obstructive sleep apnea, and TDIU are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include mental health disorders, sleep apnea, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, right leg disorder, left leg disorder, kidney cancer, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an acquired psychiatric disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for post-concussive headaches is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, finding that it is related to her in-service symptoms and diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a right knee disability was granted. The effective date is set to September 11, 2014.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further examination is required.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain, right shoulder pain, right hip pain, left hip pain, and a psychiatric disability (asocial personality).,No new evidence was found to support these claims.