Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder with psychotic features, finding that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or other qualifying mental condition during service or within one year after discharge. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to his divorce and work-related stress.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, memory loss, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted for the acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood). The other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung disability, migraine headaches, and psychiatric disorder were denied in January 2010 due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was also denied for a left humerus disability and multi-symptom illness.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) due to incomplete development, including a lack of an addendum medical opinion addressing the Veteran's contentions. The AOJ is also instructed to review any new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary due to the disagreement over whether the Veteran has PTSD and its relationship to his service. The case will be sent back for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and a need for further examination. The claims include PTSD, a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (including restless leg syndrome), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (including restless leg syndrome).,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD).

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent and does not warrant an increase in rating.,TIAs are rated at 10 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa has no compensable rating as it does not affect more than 5% of the body or exposed areas.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, cervical spine disability, ankle disabilities, skin disorder, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal to receive a total disability rating in perpetuity for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed as the issue is not ripe for adjudication.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) due to military sexual trauma.,Service connection is granted for GERD, claimed as acid reflux and hiatal hernia.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents and for a VA examination of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's paranoid schizophrenia and joint disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion. The service connection for these conditions is not in dispute, but the nature of their onset and relationship to service need clarification.

The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted. The Veteran's vision loss is not considered a compensable disability, and the effective date for a 50% rating for bilateral congenital pes planus is denied prior to February 22, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and an acquired psychiatric condition, as well as the claim for a higher rating for left knee disability due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a 10 percent rating for GERD is granted. The appeals for service connection for back, left foot and right foot disabilities are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his requests for these claims. The appeals for an increased rating for left knee degenerative changes with scar, right knee scar, and TDIU prior to September 15, 2016 are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU due to service-connected schizophrenia are being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination and retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, tinnitus, respiratory condition, and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and the diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran is required to provide more specific details about his alleged in-service incident, and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.