Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection as it is related to his military service. However, the Veteran does not have a diagnosed PTSD and there is insufficient evidence linking any psychiatric disorder to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded several issues including bilateral impaired vision, hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance abuse, and insomnia), and residuals of a burn to face.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service. The hypertension and psychiatric disorders are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, CAD, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), hypertension, malaise and fatigue, and GERD due to potential service connection issues. The Veteran's active duty service included exposure to noise in-service without protection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and psychiatric disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his seizure disorder, as well as his claim for TDIU due to lack of medical records from the period under appeal.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of a back disability, left shoulder disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need to obtain SSA disability benefits records and other relevant medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, low back disability (claimed as secondary to a left shoulder disability), and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea due to hypertension. The issues are related to whether these conditions are directly related to his military service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities.,Specifically, the Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability that he believes was caused by his active duty service or his left knee disability. He also claims service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, which he attributes to in-service trauma. Lastly, he seeks service connection for sleep apnea related to hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence on file. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination and medical opinion regarding his mental health symptoms and current hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded it for further development.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, unspecified with alcohol use disorder, has been rated at 70 percent since November 2015. The Board granted a 100 percent rating effective from May 11, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has decided that remand is necessary for further development regarding his lower back condition and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evidence and a need for updated VA treatment records. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 20, 2014 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus has been denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus is also denied as his current disability picture does not warrant a higher evaluation under any diagnostic code.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), a sleep disorder, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions in the record.,For the back disorder claim, additional medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service.,For the major depressive disorder claim, additional medical opinion is needed regarding whether it was incurred in service and/or aggravated by tension headaches and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to an in-service injury or event.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues related to his obstructive sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as an initial rating for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA examination to evaluate the nature and etiology of any other acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The Veteran's service records indicate anxiety and depression during his time in Alaska, but no direct evidence linking current conditions to military service.