Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right hip strain, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened and remanded several issues for further development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral hearing loss disability, determine the etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disability, determine the etiology of any current lumbar spine disability, and determine the etiology of his actinic keratosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, OSA, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Board dismissed the appeals for posttraumatic stress disorder and an acquired psychiatric disability due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed. A total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted from July 1, 2014.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder with TBI, rated at 70 percent, and his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unverified stressors. The AOJ is required to obtain additional VA medical opinions, verify service dates, and attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s reported stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right elbow disabilities. The claims for increased ratings for her right elbow disabilities are remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination records.

The appeal was denied as untimely and the claims for increased disability rating and service connection were not addressed due to untimeliness. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches/migraines, and sleep disability have been reopened with new evidence submitted.

The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric condition to include depression were denied. The claim for increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was also denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and clarification, including service connection claims for various disabilities. The appeals are currently pending.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals for pes planus and hernia. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including insomnia, is reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination as there are conflicting medical records and unclear etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD) is remanded.

The Board has denied reopening the claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are not supported by new and material evidence.

The Board has restored a 50 percent rating for major depressive disorder with bulimia nervosa effective January 1, 2019. The reduction from 50 to 30 percent was found to be improper and void ab initio.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claims are being returned for further development and examination.