Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is about seeking a higher rating for his mental disorder, which was previously rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to determine the current disability levels and whether TBI symptoms should be considered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and IHD have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has also been reopened.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The issues of service connection for low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and psychiatric disability (depression) remain unresolved.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left knee, lower back, and acquired psychiatric disabilities due to new evidence added by VA. The AOJ should consider whether pain causes functional impairment for the left knee and lower back.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and the right kidney disorder residuals are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for recurrent urinary tract infections, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a higher initial rating for service-connected headaches due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a sleep disorder with symptoms of insomnia due to potential gaps in medical records and incomplete duty status verification. The case will be reviewed based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is dismissed as the symptoms overlap with his already service-connected adjustment disorder. The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses are not distinct and cannot be separated.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease of the left and right lower extremities, as well as his claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy, bilateral pes planus, left foot bunion, and skin cancer. The Board also remanded several other issues.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's schizophrenia: a rating in excess of 50 percent and an effective date prior to April 30, 2014. Additional evidence is needed from relevant care providers and a new examination by VA is required.

Service connection is granted for left knee, right foot, left foot, left hip and lumbar spine disorders as well as a psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder with anxiety).,The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability led to or aggravated his other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 1, 2008 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that equitable tolling is not warranted and that there were no extraordinary circumstances preventing timely filing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hand disability (arthritis), bilateral knee disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, gall bladder removal residuals, thyroid condition, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The claims are pending on appeal.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and any outstanding private treatment records concerning the Veteran's multiple cerebral cysts with associated conditions. A new VA medical examination will be scheduled to address whether the Veteran's multiple cerebral cysts are associated with seizures, mental disorders, cognitive decline, or other conditions, their nature (whether they constitute a congenital defect or disease), if there is a superimposed injury or disease during service that has resulted in additional disability, and if the multiple cerebral cysts clearly and unmistakably preexisted service. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, low back pain, left foot pain, chronic sinusitis, hallux rigidus (bilateral), head injury, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized as unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective February 14, 2011. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, sleep impairment, impaired impulse control (anger), and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include bipolar disorder and anxiety, is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability is also granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for IBS is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded.