Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of intervertebral disc syndrome with myelopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates has been remanded due to the need for additional development of records, including SSA disability benefits records, mental health records from service, and workers' compensation records. The issues regarding tinnitus, low back disability, PTSD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic headache disability, and psychiatric disability remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development of evidence.,Service connection for a low back condition, any separate and additional respiratory illness (including as due to an undiagnosed illness related to service in Southwest Asia), COPD, and PTSD are all pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, gout, and a back condition are all granted. However, the claim for gout is denied as there is no evidence of current disability during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical inquiry into the Veteran's claim of an acquired psychiatric disorder during service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for their psychiatric disability, including on the basis of individual unemployability, requires further development and remand. The decision also includes an order to obtain the Veteran's occupational history and additional evidence related to their service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a compensable rating for dyshidrosis of the hands. The Veteran's treatment records from the Department of Corrections need to be obtained, as well as any VA treatment records since March 2016. A new VA examination is required for both psychiatric and skin disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Thailand, which could impact his claims for service connection. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 14, 2013 for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected paranoid schizophrenia with cannabis disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for breast cancer is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service incurrence or a chronic disease that manifested within one year after separation from service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and an acquired psychiatric disability to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are remanded as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to her military service.,VA treatment records need to be obtained for the Veteran’s IBS claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if GERD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are related to service, including any potential exposure to radiation or submarine duty.

The Board denied service connection for various ankle and shoulder disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have not been found to be related to his active service.,There is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive and anxiety disorder, is rated at a 70 percent disability rating since October 15, 2018. The decision grants this initial increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, a psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is inextricably intertwined with his headache claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The effective date remains pending as it is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for CAD is denied as there is no legal authority to assign such a date, and CUE has not been raised.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for angioedema due to allergic reaction to medication remains remanded.

The appeal for service connection of arthritis of the hands, elbows, wrists and fingers has been dismissed.,The appeals for service connection of a left knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, left foot condition, and an eating disorder have all been dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service medical records and a need for information regarding in-service stressors related to personal assault. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.