Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, diagnosed as inflammatory facet joint arthropathy. The appeal was dismissed for the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and chronic depression.

The Board has determined that the current examinations are inadequate for determining whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bruxism and its relationship to his service, including any in-service stressors. The case is therefore being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's request to reopen her service connection claim for hysterectomy due to uterine fibroids and pelvic inflammatory disease is denied. Her request to reopen her service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder is granted. The Veteran's request to reopen her service connection claim for migraine headaches is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD). The claim for service connection for a skin disorder is remanded. Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, but the claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, requiring a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression). Right ear hearing loss is found to be aggravated by service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder are not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and a disability manifested by chest pain. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Board has ordered further development for issues related to stomach pain, GERD, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has denied claims for bilateral hearing loss and effective dates, but has remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The case is also remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's Other Specified Trauma and Stressor-related Disorder is granted service connection, while his other psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) remains denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and sinus condition are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran had current diagnoses of these conditions, which were traceable to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and variously diagnosed associated psychiatric disability is granted.,Service connection for GERD secondary to exposure to tactical herbicides / Agent Orange is denied.,An increased rating for loss of use of the left hand remains at 60 percent.,Effective dates prior to October 12, 2012, are not established for SMC for loss of use of the left hand, service connection for left knee instability, limitation of flexion, and limitation of extension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical records, verify periods of active duty, and schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying service records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as claustrophobia and generalized anxiety disorder), and hypertension due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Gulf War. The claims are being returned for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the VA examination for PTSD is inadequate, and thus remands the case to obtain a new examination. The issues of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and insomnia) are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a higher evaluation for peripheral vestibular disorder. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need to determine if the Veteran now has a current hearing loss disability related to service, and whether he has an acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and anxiety) that is related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence submitted by the appellant. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.