Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for spondylolisthesis L5-S1 was dismissed.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the service-connected spondylolisthesis L5-S1 is granted, but no compensable rating is assigned.,Initial compensable disability ratings (20%) are denied for sciatica of the left and right lower extremities.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is remanded due to incomplete information from SSA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The heart disorder claim is related to his hypertension, while joint pain may be related to undiagnosed illness or environmental exposures during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for depression secondary to his right knee disability and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his right knee disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to provide additional private treatment records, and a new VA examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for a low back disability. The psychiatric condition is linked to the Veteran's military service, while there is no evidence linking his current back disability to his time in active duty.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a spine disorder, but denied both claims as the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include all acquired psychiatric disabilities and is remanding for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, which is related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and a need for a more complete expert opinion regarding the Veteran's employability considering his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma and an acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient examination reports. Additional VA treatment records are needed, including those from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services (CAPS) inpatient program at Mt. Sinai Hospital.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for seizure disorder and an increased rating for acquired psychiatric disorder based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the March 1970 Rating Decision are denied. The AOJ correctly applied the law at that time, as there was no undebatable error of the sort which would have changed the outcome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction due to outstanding SSA records, VA treatment records needed, and an examination required.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted secondary service connection as they are proximately due to his service-connected cervical spine disability. However, the acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as it does not meet the criteria for direct or secondary service connection.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. Service connection for a respiratory condition and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and dismissed the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for left wrist cyst, right foot disability, upper respiratory disability, sleep disorder, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, temporomandibular joint disease, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and tinnitus, is rated at 70 percent. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is found to be related to his active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has found that there is new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD. However, due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s psychiatric disability, a remand is required to obtain a more complete medical opinion based on accurate facts.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, primarily PTSD, is rated at 70 percent and not entitled to a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) status post laminectomy and an acquired psychiatric disability (depression), to include as secondary to a back disability, were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received since the April 2008 denial of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for special monthly compensation based upon the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor. The VA needs to verify the reported stressor with the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar paraspinal spasm due to contusion with diffuse degenerative disc disease has been reopened and granted. The claims for left hip disorder secondary to a lumbar spine disorder and psychiatric disorder are remanded.