Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's schizophrenia, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s schizophrenia had its onset during his active service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service. The issue of whether manifestations of the Veteran's schizophrenia contributed to his fatal encounter with police will also be addressed.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, was granted. A separate rating of 20 percent for right knee locking symptoms is also granted. The claims regarding left knee and shoulder disorders are remanded due to the need to consider whether new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a right leg disability was granted. However, the claim of service connection for this condition is denied.,Service connection for PTSD and tinnitus were both denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service stressors.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied due to lack of audiometric testing showing a hearing loss disability.,Service connection for left foot disability was denied because the Veteran did not present any nexus evidence connecting her symptoms to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and traumatic brain injury have been granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service, specifically relationship problems during service.

All appeals related to the Veteran's upper extremities and tinnitus have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The Veteran’s diabetic nephropathy with hypertension has not met the criteria for a higher rating, as it does not require regulation of activities or hospitalization.,Service connection for cervical myelopathy, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder have all been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, sleep disability, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson disease, circulatory disability, gastroesophageal disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, and bilateral ankle disabilities has been granted. The claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, bilateral upper extremity frostbite residuals, bilateral lower extremity frostbite residuals, bilateral foot disability, skin disability, and service connection for a lumbar spine disability have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, left and right knee conditions, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus to service or a service-connected disability.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disorder, and sleep apnea. Service connection is denied for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The case is REMANDED to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of GERD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostatitis, urinary tract infection, urine retention, bladder incontinence, nocturia, obesity, cataracts, and fatigue was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The appeal for right and left lower extremity burns is dismissed. The appeals for increased evaluations of hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of total knee replacement are remanded. The appeal for TDIU prior to January 6, 2017 is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD and a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence, including VA examinations. The issues will be reconsidered after all relevant information has been obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychosis, including schizophrenia. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination and have his medical records reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's stepdaughter M.M.'s claim for recognition as his helpless child due to her permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18, finding that she has not been permanently incapable of self-support since before reaching 18.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. The increased rating in excess of 30 percent for tension headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, her left and right hallux valgus are each rated at 10 percent, and she is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and psoriasis claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board has also determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's service connection claims.,The Veteran is being asked to provide more information regarding his in-service injuries, as well as any private treatment records from P.L., LCSW, and Dr. T.O.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinus/allergic rhinitis, headache condition, hypertension, skin cancer of the bilateral arms, high cholesterol, bilateral shoulder condition, appendix removal residuals, colon condition, GERD, brain stem stroke, sleep apnea, and heart condition. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.