Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD and an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD, but remanded due to need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's schizophrenia and adjustment disorder, which are currently service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of cervical spine fracture, bilateral eye condition, bilateral hearing loss, TBI, headaches, weakness on left side of body, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is also remanded as there are no current medical opinions linking any diagnosed psychiatric disorders to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder). The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the case.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia, but has remanded it for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Issues related to the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities will be addressed first as they could significantly impact other claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Appellant's eligibility for VA death pension benefits, specifically his status as a helpless child and his ability to support himself.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of reopening his service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) secondary to service-connected sinusitis. The cases are remanded for further development.

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death has been reopened. The case is being remanded to allow a VA mental health professional to review the evidence and determine if an in-service stressor occurred, whether PTSD was caused by service, and if any acquired psychiatric disability contributed to the Veteran's suicide.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service connected. The claims for IBS and an acquired psychiatric disability are denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for residuals of a lower back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for these conditions as they are not related to active service.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The claims for service connection for low back disability, left foot nerve disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), fibromyalgia, and migraine headaches are all granted.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on the presumption of exposure to Gulf War service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for their psychiatric disability is being remanded due to incomplete private treatment records from Hendricks Therapy. The VA requests the complete set of these records.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating, but his unemployability due to this condition is supported by evidence from Social Security Administration. The case should be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claim of reopening a previously denied claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mood disorder, major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and impulse control disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DJD of the left and right knees, DJD of the lumbar spine, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression and insomnia) due to inadequate examination reports and lack of nexus opinions.