Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The application to reopen claims for prostate cancer, low back disability, right leg disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disability is granted. The claim of service connection for a low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was denied, as he did not meet the DSM criteria. The reduction in his lumbar spine rating from 40% to 20% effective September 3, 2015 was found to be proper due to improvement evidenced by more restricted range of motion and increased radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral ankle, foot, back, respiratory (COPD), cardiovascular disorders, and PTSD as there was no evidence of a nexus to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for further development. The effective date of the award of service connection remains February 28, 2014.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. His hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted, but diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as service-connected due to the in-service sexual harassment she reported.

The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed during service and is currently present, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The cases of left elbow disability, bilateral knee disability, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), upper respiratory disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating and service connection has been remanded due to the submission of additional VA medical records that have not yet been considered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's eye disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the September 1982 treatment for irritated eyes resolved.,Tinnitus is denied as it did not begin during service or be related to any in-service injury or disease. The September 2014 VA examiner opined that tinnitus is at least as likely as not a symptom of hearing loss, which the Veteran does not have.,The skin disability on legs and feet is denied as there was no diagnosed condition during service and no evidence of continuity of symptoms after discharge.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include schizophrenia, is denied as there was no in-service onset or disease. The Veteran's North Carolina Army National Guard enlistment examination did not show any psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed hip, knee, psychiatric, and low back disabilities. The appeals are also remanded for a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is secondary to service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and PTSD. The evidence submitted since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the underlying claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, type II and skin disability, due to in-service exposure to herbicides. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran’s assertions of in-service herbicide exposure and provide VA examinations to determine the dates of initial onset and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected schizophrenia was denied, and the issue of entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the award of a 100% disability rating.

All issues on appeal are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, migraines secondary to tinnitus, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for schizophrenia and hypertension due to insufficient evidence, including incomplete service treatment records and lack of VA opinions on etiology.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development and examination, as well as readjudication.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran contends that these conditions began during service or were caused by events in service.