Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 25, 2017 for a 100 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected unspecified schizophrenia disorder with depressed mood and anxiety.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding treatment records that are pertinent to his claims on appeal, including psychiatric treatment records and private treatment records from various providers.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, groin injury with scars, or erectile dysfunction are related to service. The Veteran's active duty service is conceded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for PTSD and schizophrenia, but has remanded the case due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability has been reopened, but the claim is denied. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and psychiatric disability are not rated higher than 30 percent. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending as it was remanded.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disability to include depressive disorder.,Service connection is also granted for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the service-connected acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder).,However, service connection is denied for a back disability due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression due to potential unverified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no credible evidence of a verified stressor and the VA examiners found that she does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for PTSD, hypertension, and heart condition are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no verified in-service stressor related to PTSD and thus no basis for granting service connection.

The Veteran's GERD and psychiatric disorder are being remanded for further development as the current evidence is insufficient to make a determination on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted, including right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder (PTSD, panic disorder, depressive disorder), lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, headache disorder, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye pterygium have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder and various hip and knee conditions. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's schizophrenia results in some occupational and social impairment, but not total impairment. The cardiovascular disability is remanded for further examination to determine if it was caused or aggravated by the service-connected schizophrenia.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, right lower extremity disability, and left lower extremity disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inconsistencies in previous decisions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, particularly concerning his low back disability and its relationship to an in-service slip-and-fall incident.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sinus disability, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and a psychiatric disorder/personality disorder, finding that the presumption of soundness applied. The Board also denied an earlier effective date for TBI service connection, applying relevant regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing or unlocated in-service medical records, and for TDIU as it is dependent on the outcome of the service connection claims. The Veteran's heart disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), respiratory condition, acid reflux, migraines, and hypertension are at issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is secondary to his service-connected conditions. The issues of increased rating for posttraumatic headaches prior to December 11, 2017, and entitlement to TBI compensation are also remanded.