Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including myxoid liposarcoma of the right leg/groin and pelvis, chronic pain/chronic fatigue syndrome associated with it, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, premature menopause, loss of her right ovary, carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve damage to the right leg (lower extremity neuropathy), an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), insomnia, and temporomandibular joint disorder with dislocated jaw. The denial is based on a lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and hiatal hernia, were denied. The claim for residuals of a head injury (now claimed as TBI) was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was reopened due to new evidence. The claim is granted as the evidence shows a relationship between the current psychiatric condition and service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service from October 28, 1976 to April 17, 1978 was dishonorable for VA purposes due to a pattern of willful and persistent misconduct. The appeal is remanded to determine if there was clear and unmistakable error in the previous determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD and other mental disorders should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions, and because there is credible evidence of in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), and a cervical spine disorder with radiculopathy. The effective dates are to be determined based on the date of claim.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted, as the evidence shows a diagnosis of PTSD related to military service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder) is also granted, with the opinion that it is caused by PTSD.

The Veteran's previously denied skin disorder claim is reopened, and service connection for a lower back disability is granted. Service connection for psychiatric disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for a back disability, heart disability, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal disability (claimed as diarrhea), acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety, depression, and PTSD), respiratory disability (claimed as breathing problems) to include COPD, left upper quadrant curvilinear calcification (claimed as aortic aneurysm), and enlarged prostate have been remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the December 1979 rating decision, which failed to grant service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The effective date is set at April 10, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's SMC claim is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination addressing the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status. The claims folder does not contain an appropriate VA examination, as the examiners only addressed his service-connected schizophrenia without considering his need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the severity and manifestations of his service-connected PTSD, as well as any additional psychiatric disabilities.

The appeal for service connection of a neurological condition now noted with headaches is granted. Service connection for the right ankle, acquired psychiatric condition other than adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, cervical spine condition, left elbow fracture, left hand condition, and left eye condition are all remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear findings from a previous VA psychiatric examination, and further clarification is needed regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was due to or began during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of review of relevant medical records and an incomplete examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder and PTSD), stomach disorder (GERD and hiatal hernia), bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral hip disorder due to failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of heart disability, left wrist disability, mononucleosis, and sleep apnea. The claim for PTSD was granted with new and material evidence but not reopened as it is considered a direct service connection case. Service connection for diabetes mellitus II was denied due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected schizophrenia, paranoid type, is being remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records and the need for another psychiatric examination.