Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the claim for a TDIU prior to May 23, 2017 should be referred to the Director of the Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration due to lack of substantial gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder, and TDIU due to unresolved medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date, rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has not been established due to lack of audiometric testing meeting VA criteria for impaired hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia, due to military sexual trauma (MST). The evidence supports the Veteran's account of his in-service assault and resulting mental health issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia manifested during his active duty service and is related to it, granting service connection for schizophrenia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was previously denied in August 2012. New evidence submitted since that decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has also been denied.

The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic skin rash is dismissed as the Veteran requested its withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.,The claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence on etiology.,The claims for increased ratings for left knee disabilities and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations.,,,

The Board has found that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as there are insufficient medical opinions to support the current evaluations. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to determine if her conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's disability rating for service-connected residuals of TBI was restored to 70%, but the issue of a higher rating remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further evaluation regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a headache disability.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, which includes phobia of natural environment and fear of injury with depression and anxiety, has been rated at 70 percent since April 4, 2018. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms more nearly approximated deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI, including residuals, is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depression and major depressive disorder), and headaches are granted service connection. Service connection for HTN is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in service, may not be presumed to have been incurred in service, and is not otherwise related to service. The criteria for entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status have not been met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, broken sternum, left shoulder disorder, vision disorder, COPD, acquired psychiatric disorder, and jaw disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.,There is no competent medical evidence linking any of the claimed disorders to the Veteran's time in active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various psychiatric, sleep apnea, heart disorder, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, and headaches. The issues include verifying in-service stressors, obtaining SSA records, and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability due to lack of evidence linking it to his active duty service.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; peripheral neuropathy; and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and cannabis use disorder, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence linking the cannabis use disorder to service.