Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's asthma claim is reopened and granted.,Obstructive sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (generalized anxiety disorder), bilateral hip condition, eye condition, and headache condition are all granted as secondary to service-connected pneumoconiosis.,Low back and neck conditions are denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral SNHL is denied.,An effective date prior to November 15, 2013 for the grant of a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral SNHL and an effective date prior to November 15, 2013 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus are both denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to MST, finding that there was no credible evidence of the claimed stressors. The issue of service connection for an unspecified trauma and stress related disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, and he is now entitled to a TDIU effective March 14, 2016.,VA denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his left shoulder scar. The Veteran was granted service connection on March 14, 2016, when he filed his claim for a TDIU.,The Veteran’s claim for increased ratings of his left shoulder disability and left shoulder scar remains pending as the Board has remanded these issues.,VA denied the Veteran's request to connect his right wrist disorder with service. The issue is currently under review by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disease and PTSD due to Agent Orange exposure. The VA examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, a higher rating for migraine headaches, and TDIU due to unemployability. The Veteran did not receive notice of VA examinations related to these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to missing evidence and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need to obtain records from his Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits application.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing records, particularly regarding PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted a higher disability rating for diabetes mellitus type II, but the file lacks sufficient records to determine his current condition during this period. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is remanded. TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, fractured skull, and fractured sternum due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) secondary to hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied due to the Veteran's willful misconduct in causing his motor vehicle accident, which resulted in these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection with an effective date of June 20, 2017. The remaining claims for throat cancer, depression, thyroid disorder, loss of taste, and hemorrhoids were all denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a nervous disorder, now characterized as an acquired psychiatric disorder, is granted. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of any current psychiatric disorders to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been denied as the condition is already at its maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus has also been denied, as there was no prior claim within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral eye disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression) as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.,Service connection was also denied for a bilateral foot disorder in a previous remand.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for schizophrenia was denied as there is no legal basis to grant such a request.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between current conditions and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of gunshot wound to the face and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision found that the Veteran was AWOL at the time of his gunshot wound injury, which did not occur in the line of duty. For PTSD, there was no combat service or verified stressor.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, chronic neuralgia, and acquired psychiatric condition. The claims for service connection will be remanded.