Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not service connected as it was related to his alcohol use, and there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's complete service treatment records need to be obtained and reviewed, as they have not been associated with his claims file. The issues of tinnitus, chronic headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and PTSD) are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The issues include left and right knee disabilities, residuals of a head injury, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from September 29, 2015. The Board has remanded the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is granted. The Veteran's DM is not entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 18, 2013, and not entitled to a rating in excess of 40 percent beginning December 18, 2013. The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy with hypertension is not entitled to a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. New and material evidence has reopened claims for bilateral elbow disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, and chronic sinusitis but the claims are denied on their merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 31, 2016 and a rating in excess of 10 percent on or after October 31, 2016 was denied. The Board found the evidence insufficient to grant these claims and remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia and other conditions, is granted. PTSD was denied. The claim for service connection is reopened due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tonsillitis, vertigo, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for further medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran will need to provide additional chiropractic treatment records, undergo a psychiatric examination, and have his left shoulder disability evaluated.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right femur stress fracture has been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, and depressive disorder, is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the claim of other specified schizophrenia and psychotic disorder. The Veteran's OSA is not related to his military service, as there are no in-service complaints or diagnoses. His current condition was diagnosed 25 years after separation from service.,Regarding the schizophrenia and psychotic disorder, the Board found that while the Veteran has been diagnosed with these conditions, they were not discussed in the September 2016 rating decision. The claim remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder preexisted service or is a congenital defect, as well as whether it had its onset in service. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating for migraines, as well as the issue of reopening a claim for lower lip scar and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), due to the Veteran's homeless status. The VA is directed to ensure proper notification and obtain necessary medical records.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further evaluation, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically dysthymic disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent and the appeal for an increased evaluation has been denied.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, bilateral foot disability, shoulder disability, hip disability, knee disability, sciatic radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric/mental disabilities. The July 1997 decision remains final regarding the low back disability claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right foot disabilities, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to service.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records.