Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension and remanded other issues related to service connection. The Veteran's claims are also remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection and increased ratings. The gastric cancer claim is inextricably intertwined with the cause of death claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck disability, traumatic brain injury, post-concussive headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete records. The AOJ is instructed to verify all periods of active duty, inactive duty for training, and active duty for training, including those from August 1983 to September 1983 and 1991 to 1993 with the 122nd Army Reserve Command. They are also directed to obtain any outstanding service treatment records and VA hospital records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of cold injury residuals to hands and feet, as well as PTSD. The decision is due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his bilateral hip and knee strains. Service connection for the psychiatric disability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for bladder cancer has been fully granted, and the issue is dismissed. The psychiatric disorder claim remains pending.

The Board has received additional evidence and is remanding the claims for further consideration by the AOJ.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding Social Security Administration records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to the lack of available service personnel records and inability to confirm the in-service stressor. The Board will schedule a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disability related to his service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia with depression due to new and material evidence, but further development is needed as the psychologist's opinion relies on information not in the current record.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of SMC based on need for aid and attendance. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including social anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as it would be affected by the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied as there is no competent evidence of a nexus between the claimed disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical examinations and lack of proper verification of a stressor.

The Board denied service connection for foot injuries and head injuries, including headaches. The claim for mental disorder was reopened but not granted.,There is no credible evidence linking current foot or head conditions to service.

The Board dismissed the claims for an effective date prior to November 21, 2016 for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including back disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral leg disorder, bronchitis, scars and skin disfigurement, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been expanded to include all acquired psychiatric disorders. Further development is needed, including corroborating the stressors in service and conducting a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for reopening of service connection for hemoccult positive stools has been granted. The claims for service connection for a sinus disorder, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, insomnia, and psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is service-connected as it was caused by a verified incident of military sexual trauma (MST) during his active duty.