Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and his unstable housing situation may have impacted his ability to provide evidence. The claims are being remanded to attempt rescheduling these examinations and obtain any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and examination, as well as to address issues related to her service-connected disabilities and any newly diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia is dismissed as it violates the rule of finality.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, lumbar degenerative disc disease and small disc herniation, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran's service connection claims are not supported by evidence of a current disability or a link between his in-service exposure and any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claims for right eye disorder, right knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disorders were denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee condition has been reopened and is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is denied.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.,Service connection for a heart condition is denied.,Service connection for a left hip condition is denied.,Service connection for a right hip condition is denied.,Service connection for a lower back condition is denied.,Service connection for skin issues is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea (claimed as sleep issues) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability and determining if there is a current diagnosis of CFS or an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues of service connection for these conditions are pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral knee disability, and gastroenteritis. The new evidence received since the final denial is considered in conjunction with previous evidence of record and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia has been rated at 70 percent since March 17, 2010. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, asthma, an acquired psychiatric disability, a right knee disability, and a left shoulder disability due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has denied service connection for a right foot disorder, claimed as plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and cephalgia, neck disorder, back disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, left foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder, right leg disorder, and bilateral shin splints are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification of whether any acquired psychiatric disorder pre-existed service or is related to service.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if it is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is required to provide VA with information about any private providers who have treated him since service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including increased ratings for various conditions and service connection for additional disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo further VA examinations to determine the current severity of his existing conditions and whether he is entitled to service connection for new disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for schizophrenia is remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records from his provider.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate prior examination and a need for updated treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for another psychiatric examination to determine his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his military service and any diagnosed condition.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional examinations. The issues include bilateral foot disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), and a disability manifested as head pain.