Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss that meets VA criteria.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral flat feet remains in appellate status and requires further development due to the need for a supplemental examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain (low back condition) is remanded as the VA examiner did not adequately address potential contributory factors from a motor vehicle accident during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety and depression remains in appellate status and requires further development due to the need for a supplemental examination.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected acquired mental disorder. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia is remanded. The Board finds that the Veteran has other diagnosed psychiatric disorders and requests a VA examination to determine if any of these conditions are related to her active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral flat feet, unspecified anxiety disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder (psychiatric disability), migraine headaches, and kidney disability have been granted. The claim for acne was denied. Effective November 17, 2015, the Veteran is now receiving a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical examinations and a Statement of the Case (SOC). The issues include service connection for neck injury, TDIU, and an initial evaluation higher than 10 percent for residuals of a head injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and development due to incomplete medical records and the need to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The cases of left knee, right knee, and right foot disabilities are remanded for further development. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for a low back disability is remanded.,The claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus remains denied as the appellant is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,The claim for a low back disability is remanded due to lack of evidence on record regarding its onset and etiology during service.,The claim for a right lazy eye is remanded due to lack of evidence on record regarding its onset and etiology during service.,The claims for migraines (including as aggravated by tinnitus) and psychiatric disability (including as aggravated by tinnitus) are both remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.,The claim for an effective date earlier than May 29, 2013, for service connection of tinnitus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to further development being necessary, including obtaining STRs and private medical records. The appeals are now pending again.

The Board has added new evidence to the record and finds that remand is necessary for further development on multiple service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia is denied. The previously denied psychiatric disorder claim is reopened, and the Veteran is granted service connection for MDD as secondary to his service-connected erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to service connection for various hand, finger, and ankle ligament laxity conditions. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as any acquired psychiatric disorder and headache disorder.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), and a lumbosacral spine disability due to lack of medical evidence showing current disabilities related to active service.,Service connection was also not granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the Veteran's in-service audiological evaluations were conducted using ASA standards which need to be converted to ISO-ANSI standards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression secondary to right-sided hypalgesia with loss of sensation. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, and to obtain SSA records.

The veteran's child is not eligible for death pension benefits due to the child's income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for schizophrenia from 100% to 100%, effective July 1, 1976, due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a previous rating decision.