Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran was denied TDIU as his service-connected disability did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the reopening of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that the submitted evidence did not show aggravation beyond normal progression during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as an adjustment disorder with depression, is dismissed without prejudice.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disability is denied. The evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 60 degrees or a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine of 120 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records, and further attempts are needed to obtain the appellant's service records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records, specifically those from February 2016 indicating they are in 'Oakland'. These records need to be obtained.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 2, 1978 for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The original claim filed in February 1978 reasonably encompassed a claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hypertension, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened based on new evidence but is still denied.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia and PTSD. The evidence received since the last denial supports that the Veteran’s current mental health conditions may have begun in service.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for a skin rash is granted. The Board has remanded the matter due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and ectropion are denied.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claims for PTSD and depression due to lack of verified stressor or medical evidence. The Court remanded with instructions to provide an adequate statement of reasons for the determination regarding the corroboration of the alleged personal assault in service, and to ensure VA satisfied its duty to assist by providing a proper examination. The case is now being returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied.,An initial rating of 30 percent for IBS has been granted and the referral for extraschedular consideration is denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for IBS remains to be determined.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a psychiatric disorder is denied as the final denial in 1997 cannot be removed and there was no reopening of the claim prior to April 16, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence and have been denied. The issues of service connection for a right leg disability, PTSD, back disability, sleep apnea, and unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified schizophrenia remain in remand status due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The claims for increased ratings for cervical spine arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic cystitis are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for low back, neck, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to incomplete personnel records and the need for clarification on the dates of events claimed by the Veteran.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye disability is remanded as there are outstanding private treatment records that have not been obtained.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease (status-post CABG) are remanded due to incomplete personnel records and the need for clarification on the dates of events claimed by the Veteran.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records that have not been obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, hypertension, and chronic headache disorder are granted. The claim for a right foot disorder (excluding residuals of a right ankle fracture) is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's bilateral leg/knee disorder is not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for neck, eye (macular degeneration), respiratory, TBI residuals, and psychiatric disorders as the evidence did not show a nexus to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, and left lung cancer are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The claims for an initial compensable rating for submandible residual scar and an effective date prior to May 14, 2014, for service connection for submandible residual scar are also being remanded.