Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The claims for left shoulder, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and ischemic heart disease disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, knee disorder, psychiatric condition, sinusitis, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension, is remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The appeal for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bursitis, a respiratory disorder (claimed as breathing difficulty), and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II has also been remanded due to the need for additional factual development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia, but denied service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST). The decision in favor of the Veteran's claim for schizophrenia is based on her current diagnosis and evidence showing symptoms during service. For PTSD, there was no competent evidence supporting a diagnosis related to MST.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and lumbar spine disorders. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule VA examinations for further evaluation of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability has been granted a 50% initial rating, effective January 1, 2010. He is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The claims for service connection of the right knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, residuals of an intestinal infection, and headache disorder have been withdrawn due to the grant of benefits.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded as there are inconsistencies in the medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives and insufficient examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder needs further evaluation by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 20 percent rating for osteonecrosis of the left hip from March 1, 2012 is denied. The RO complied with procedural requirements and found that improvement in the disability was reasonably certain under ordinary conditions of life.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating than 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) has been withdrawn, and the issue is dismissed.

The claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the claims for GERD evaluation and TDIU have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disability and psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) due to insufficient evidence from a previous VA examination. The case must be returned for further development, including scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for asthma, a left ankle disability, and a lumbar spine disability (to include bilateral radiculopathy). The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and an initial rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection are not currently supported by evidence demonstrating a current disability that began during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include schizophrenia. The Regional Office is instructed to obtain private treatment records from various providers and readjudicate the cases.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for superficial scar disability, painful scar disability, left inguinal hernia disability, and psychiatric disorder due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis B was denied because he does not have a current diagnosis of active hepatitis B infection. His claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes MDD, PTSD, and panic disorder, is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for a right ear condition is dismissed.,The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for a left ear condition is dismissed.