Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete opinions and lack of consideration of certain evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The appeals for blackouts, dizziness, stomach hernias, obesity and residuals of gastric bypass surgery, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression) have all been denied.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. However, the case is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back condition and PTSD due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran will need to undergo further evaluations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's daughter was not found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to turning 18, thus her claim for recognition as a helpless child is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia. The examiner is required to determine if there is at least a 50% probability that the condition had its onset in service or is related to active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, unspecified schizophrenia, has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent and a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and depression, including as secondary to a right knee disorder. The Veteran's medical records from his reserve duty service and private treatment records are required, along with VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 29, 2008 for service connection of paranoid schizophrenia is denied as the earliest allowable effective date under VA regulations is that date.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain missing VA treatment records from January 1980 to February 2002. The claims will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional investigation regarding the Veteran's service in Vietnam, exposure to Agent Orange, and claimed stressors.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of low back pain, right hip condition, left hip condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depressive disorder).

The Board has determined that additional opinions are needed to fully address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential issues with the presumption of soundness and secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for left shoulder, left elbow, bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). Additionally, the nonservice-connected pension benefits claim is also being remanded. The VA must obtain relevant treatment records and attempt to verify an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted. The rating for asthma was denied prior to November 26, 2012 and granted from that date onwards. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of VA funds due to his mental health condition, schizophrenia.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease; a bilateral hip disorder, diagnosed as bilateral hip osteoarthritis; and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The right knee disability issue is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending and needs further development.