Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for schizophrenia, paranoid type and for an earlier effective date for service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a mental disorder, has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a higher rating claim. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, pes planus, shin splints, left elbow disability, and bilateral hearing loss are all under review.

The Board has withdrawn the claims of service connection for trench foot and trench mouth, as well as remanded the claim for a respiratory disorder. The acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran did not provide verifiable stressor information during service. The combined disability rating is 90%, meeting the schedular criteria for TDIU.

An effective date of August 15, 2014, for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the wrists, and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia and denied service connection for PTSD and personality disorder. The decision on schizophrenia is based on the presumption of soundness at entry, while the decisions on PTSD and personality disorder are based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and bilateral leg cramps are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The Board notes that the Veteran has not submitted any specific argument with respect to his claimed sleep disorder.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg cramps and right shoulder tendinitis are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for back pain is remanded as the evidence does not show a current diagnosis of a back disability. The Board notes that the Veteran reported back myalgias in August 2010.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depressed mood) and eye disability are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder tendinitis is remanded to determine if it is related to shoulder pain during service. The Board notes that the Veteran reported shoulder pain since 2007.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain and eye disability are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) as there was no credible evidence of a stressor and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the condition began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence showing it was caused by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for reopening the sleep apnea claim is granted, but the secondary theory of service connection is not met.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to a failure to obtain relevant records from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD to include major depressive disorder are granted. The appeals for service connection for psychosis, allergies, bilateral hand tremors, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, dry skin, and hearing loss have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle disorder, left hand disorder, and psychiatric disorder due to missing records and inadequate reports of VA examinations. The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits were terminated effective May 1, 2012, based on excessive income that included receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits and military retirement pension.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for left leg varicose veins since August 11, 2015. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient verification of the in-service stressor and need for a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions as it does not have jurisdiction due to the legacy appeals process.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other unspecified psychiatric disorders, due to lack of credible supporting evidence of the reported in-service personal assault.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of claims for low back, neck, and right shoulder disabilities. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded for additional medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was granted, effective January 24, 2014. The decision also remanded several other issues including service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder.