Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board denied reopening of entitlement to service connection for left and right foot bunions, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for these conditions are all remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, a cardiac disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension because he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements due to lack of qualifying wartime service.

The Veteran's son is denied DIC benefits based on permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching the age of 18 due to mental health issues.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (psychiatric disability), is rated at 50 percent effective August 31, 2010. The Board found that the evidence showed occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as panic attacks, impaired judgment, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, PTSD, and depression have been denied. The claim for neurologic disability (memory loss) is remanded due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has determined that VA did not fulfill its duty to assist in this case and has remanded the claims for further development of the Veteran’s service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and treatment records, as well as readjudication of his claim.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. However, both OSA and erectile dysfunction claims are denied as there is no current disability found. The Veteran's claim for OSA will be remanded to obtain additional VA outpatient treatment records and private mental health records. Additionally, he must be provided with VCAA notice regarding sexual assault during service and his military personnel records must be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia is dismissed because the May 1975 rating decision, which severed the claim, was subsumed by the October 1975 Board decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and headache condition are granted as service connected. The Board found a medical nexus linking the conditions to his active military service.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection claims for various conditions, as well as a claim for an increased rating. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is being examined to determine if it is related to in-service dental trauma and/or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia and depression is granted. The claims are also remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

Service connection is granted for a right hip disability, amputation of the second, third, and fourth fingers of the left hand, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as secondary to service-connected right knee disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), a heart condition, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, and a lumbosacral spine disability.,There is no evidence of a current mental disability, current knee or ankle disability, or compensable spinal disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizoaffective disorder, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that his current condition is related to his military service. Service connection for hepatitis C is remanded as VA treatment records are needed and a medical opinion on its etiology is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety. The bilateral hand condition claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a peripheral nerve condition or degenerative arthritis related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The effective date for this grant is set at December 16, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease remains pending as there is no clear rule that would allow a retroactive effective date prior to the date of his formal claim under FDC rules.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and incomplete development of service treatment records, particularly from U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, California.