Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and Schizophrenia, is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been submitted supporting the reopening of the claim.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA records needing to be obtained. Additionally, a new VA examination is needed for each issue.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Other Specified Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are best captured by this diagnosis and were likely caused by in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened and remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his claimed Vietnam service.

The Board has decided that further attempts must be made to verify the Veteran's reported in-service stressor and an updated VA examination is necessary to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The claims to reopen the previously denied service connection for weight gain, acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea are granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at 70 percent. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability and acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and drug and alcohol abuse disorder, are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, an acquired psychiatric disorder, colon cancer, and type II diabetes mellitus due to incomplete service records and unverified stressors. The Veteran will need to provide additional information about his periods of service and PTSD stressors.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain missing medical records and conduct a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis or link between the Veteran's reported stressor and any diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including situational reaction, depression, anxiety and conversion disorder is denied. The Board finds the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of such disorders. For hypertension, the Board remanded due to lack of medical opinion linking it to service.

The application to reopen the claim for service connection of a cervical spine strain is granted. The claims for service connection of lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, MDD and substance abuse in full remission) due to new evidence showing a current diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder and substance abuse. The other conditions remain denied as there is no current medical evidence or credible supporting evidence.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a left wrist injury is granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which may be secondary to his service-connected low back disorder and associated neuropathy, is remanded.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the addition of new VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded as he was unable to complete an examination due to his hip replacement surgery.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder, right and left knee conditions, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence or lack of opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and review.