Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to March 9, 2017 and as 30 percent from March 9, 2017 to September 10, 2017. The claim for a compensable rating after September 11, 2017 is denied.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) has been remanded and will be evaluated based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and cognitive disorder) as there was no evidence to support that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service events.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for a higher initial rating for acquired psychiatric disability, an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits, and an earlier effective date for DEA benefits. The Board has ordered remand to consider the applicable rating criteria at the time of the original claim in February 1996 and since November 1996.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's left knee disability claim is also being remanded as a VA examination is needed to assess its relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a cervical spine disability have been granted. The acquired psychiatric disorder is diagnosed as other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, claimed as PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, right ear and left ear are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is denied as the weight of the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for migraine headaches, ulcer disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, dizziness and fainting spells, degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine, and osteoarthritis. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for his psychiatric disability and for TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA records being unavailable. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has found the Veteran's left wrist disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) not related to service, but has remanded for further examination and evidence collection regarding his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has found the Veteran's left wrist disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) not related to service, but has remanded for further examination and evidence collection regarding his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease (ischemic heart disease) is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder) is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's vertigo is granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for the claims of service connection for a back disability, Hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and remanded it for further development. The Veteran's claim for migraine headaches is also remanded, as evidence of a reported headache during service in July 2010 is present. The TDIU rating claim is deferred due to its interdependence with other claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders and a lumbar spine disability, but denied his claim for service connection for nerve damage to the left forearm. The Board found that there was new and material evidence to support these claims, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and ESRD, finding that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the claims, and that there is no link between the disabilities and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and origin of her low back, right knee, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and tension headaches due to inextricably intertwined issues with the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus, hypertension, and a cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety disorder), finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection for tinnitus is granted as it manifested within one year of separation from service. The case has been remanded for further examination regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, hypertension, cardiomyopathy and hypertensive heart disease with congestive heart failure, aortic aneurysm, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and generalized anxiety disorder) due to the Veteran's in-service conditions.,Service connection is also granted for these conditions on a secondary basis to his service-connected hypertension.