Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate condition. The claim for service connection of these conditions is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence demonstrating a current disability related to her in-service knee pain. The cardiac and psychiatric issues are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities, and nonservice-connected pension benefits. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder. If the examiner determines that the psychiatric disorder is not related to active duty service or a service-connected disability, they should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her right foot disability, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to an earlier effective date are being remanded. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further investigation into the Veteran's in-service psychiatric history.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right thumb disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The case will be reviewed again with the possibility of additional medical examination.

The Board denied service connection for alopecia and PTSD due to lack of current disability related to the conditions, despite a conceded in-service stressor event. The Veteran's private and VA treatment records did not show any diagnosis of alopecia or PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board denied the TDIU claim as there is no evidence that his service-connected conditions alone prevent him from obtaining or maintaining such employment.

The Veteran seeks an effective date earlier than January 28, 2011 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board finds that the proper effective date is the date of receipt of the claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.,The Veteran seeks an effective date earlier than January 28, 2011 for a higher evaluation for psoriasis. The evidence shows systemic therapy with immunosuppressive drugs starting more than one year prior to the date of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection, a rating increase, and TDIU. The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a separate disability rating of 10 percent for left knee instability but has remanded other issues including right knee condition, acquired psychiatric disability (Bipolar Disorder), and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his education and previous work experience allow him to perform substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and personnel records.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition, left hand condition, acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and residuals of cold injury of the right foot.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and medical opinions due to incomplete records and inadequate examination findings.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, tinea corporis (skin fungus), and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim for service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia. The case is being remanded for additional medical opinions and a review of all outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue as secondary to service-connected tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for anxiety, depression and panic attacks have been reopened and granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The Board has remanded the cases to obtain additional evidence and conduct further examinations.