Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with the development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD. The Veteran needs additional verification of attacks on his unit in Vietnam and a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to a lack of VA examination capabilities. The Veteran is asked to obtain his own medical opinions/examinations and provide them to VA, along with authorizations for any relevant records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service in Korea.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.,For bilateral hearing loss, a VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran has a current disability and its etiology.

The Board has dismissed the claims regarding termination of benefits and diabetes mellitus. The remaining claims for service connection, disability ratings, and TDIU are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus service connection for headaches is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the low spine is granted. The claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD (major depressive disorder), are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of schizophrenia was denied as there was no prior informal or formal claim filed before October 14, 2015. The earliest effective date is set at the date of receipt of the intent to file a claim, which is October 14, 2015.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss has been denied because there is no evidence of current hearing loss in this ear.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is denied.,Service connection for COPD is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service, including exposure to Agent Orange.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (likely to include PTSD and Depression) is not service-connected as there is insufficient evidence connecting current symptoms to military service.,Thrombosis, poor circulation, and edema are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sinus disorder, alcohol abuse, a neurocognitive disorder, and somatoform disorder. However, these claims are remanded due to additional VA treatment records that need to be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety), sleep apnea, and pulmonary disorder due to outstanding records and need for further examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is not related to his service, and the case is being remanded for further examination. The cases of basal cell carcinoma and hypertension are also being remanded due to potential exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals seeking to reopen the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability and extreme fallen arches of the feet have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals concerning his acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spondylotic myelopathy, TDIU, and eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of one automobile or other conveyance and/or automobile adaptive equipment are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral eye condition and mental disorder, were denied. The left hip disability claim was also denied as the evidence did not establish that it began during or within one year after service or was related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, requires further development and clarification. Specifically, attempts must be made to verify the Veteran’s reported in-service stressors, and a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and other procedural issues.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, but denied his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain clarifying opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected residuals of cellulitis, other than scars. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to service-connected disability) and a compensable rating for residuals of cellulitis, other than scars are also remanded.