Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, sinusitis, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include schizoaffective disorder.,The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the evidence did not support a finding that it was related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of a link between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide a clear opinion regarding its etiology. The Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorder was caused by or aggravated by his active service.

The Board has ordered another remand due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and lack of a medical opinion. The case will be reviewed by experts to determine if any psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal of claims for service connection for mild superimposed degenerative joint disease at the fact joints, herniated disc, lumbar laminectomy (claimed as lumbar condition due to surgery L4-S1), and a migraine condition is dismissed. The claims for entitlement to service connection for depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and a nervous condition are reopened.

The Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or housebound status is denied because he does not meet the criteria for SMC due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for facial paralysis was granted. However, the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his acquired psychiatric disorder was granted with a 50% disability rating. His claim to reopen service connection for hypertension was denied, as no new and material evidence was submitted. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,His acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 50%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders, respiratory disorder manifested by difficulty breathing, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder NOS. The decision also remanded several issues for further review.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is considered to be a result of military sexual trauma (MST) during service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is as likely as not caused by his service-connected residuals of cerebrospinal meningitis. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) as secondary to service-connected residuals of cerebrospinal meningitis has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's daughter, the appellant, was granted an extension of her delimiting date beyond June 3, 2014 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits due to a physical disability preventing her from initiating or completing education.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder prior to November 18, 1996 was granted. His duodenal ulcer disease is currently rated at 20%.

The Board has decided to remand several service connection claims due to inadequate notice and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD (depression and generalized anxiety disorder) due to a lack of contemporaneous records. The Veteran's service connection claims will be readjudicated after these examinations are completed.

The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are granted. Service connection for acquired psychiatric condition is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a fracture of the left hand and remanded other issues due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The remaining issues are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations.