Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder (variously diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder, schizoaffective disorder (bipolar), schizoaffective disorder, depressive type, and paranoid schizoaffective disorder). The claim for low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensable, but service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include unspecified anxiety disorder has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his left knee arthritis and acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as the TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities, is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of COPD due to his withdrawal. The issues of right ear hearing loss, OSA, hypertension, and PTSD remain on appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, muscle pain of the bilateral legs, and PTSD. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted since the November 2009 denial of service connection for PTSD, thus reopening the claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and need for clarification regarding diagnoses and etiology.

The Veteran's claim for partial amputation of the left finger is denied due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a broken left clavicle or collar bone is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a broken left leg is denied without sufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a broken right hip is denied due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a broken right knee is denied based on lack of evidence.,The Veteran's claim for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) is granted, with the condition believed to have begun during service and aggravated by other conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right toe injury, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, affective psychosis, and adjustment disorder due to incomplete service records.

The appeal is denied for the claims of service connection for hepatitis C, left shoulder disorder, acid reflux, erectile dysfunction, sleep disorder, and headaches. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety reaction) has been reopened.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and PTSD, need further review due to new evidence being added to his file. He is required to undergo VA examinations to evaluate these conditions.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his chronic sinus disorder is denied.,An earlier effective date prior to March 21, 2013, for the award of service connection for his chronic sinus condition is denied.,The Veteran’s claim for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) remains in dispute as the Veteran's stressor claims have not been verified, but he provided additional information about his mental health symptoms.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for acid reflux secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for lower back disorder remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,Service connection for bilateral knee disorder remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for leg cramps secondary to his lower back disorder is remanded due to lack of current evidence and need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected rhinitis and chronic sinus condition remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.,The Veteran’s claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus remains in dispute as the Veteran has not been afforded an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of VA funds due to his mental condition, specifically undifferentiated type schizophrenia.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disorder, Bell's palsy, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The Veteran is required to be provided with new VA examinations to address the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bladder disability, respiratory disorder, cervical spine disability with bilateral hand numbness, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is dismissed. The claims for a cervical spine disability and related bilateral hand numbness, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim that the characterization of service for the time period from June 5, 1989 to May 7, 1993 is a bar to VA benefits is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and verification of exposure, stressors, and medical records.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, undifferentiated type is rated at 100 percent effective from March 25, 2011, due to total occupational and social impairment.