Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal regarding his initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar spine disability. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, and for a sleep disability are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities (TDIU) because it did not address Dr. N.O.'s March 2009 evaluation and whether any recommended work environment constitutes a 'protected [work] environment' for the purposes of 38 C.F.R. § § 4.16(a).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia due to military sexual trauma, has been reopened. The Board is remanding the case for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and that any current disabilities were not shown to be related to service.,The Board also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, as he had negative results on multiple mental health screens. The decision concluded that there was no evidence supporting the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right hip disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record. The claims are being remanded to afford the Veteran VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia does not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The decision is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of 30 percent or more for PTSD with respect to all pending issues.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, was granted service connection. Service connection for hypertension and residuals of a cerebral vascular accident were also granted, with the latter being secondary to service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with obtaining military personnel records regarding the Veteran's discharge for unsatisfactory performance.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining VA treatment records from March 1976 to May 1982, as these records may contain information relevant to the Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia.

The appeal is dismissed as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cavities is denied as there are no compensable dental disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied due to the severity, frequency, and duration of her symptoms not meeting the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied as she does not have total occupational impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and medical opinions. The liver disability claim is remanded for a VA examination, while the psychiatric disorder claim requires a VA examination and opinion regarding potential secondary effects from both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss has been denied as she does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD and persistent depressive disorder, is remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence.

The Veteran's low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss are currently rated as 10 percent each. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions.,Service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI), migraine headaches secondary to TBI, and an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to TBI was not granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including STRs and private treatment records. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of his claim for schizophrenia which was granted. The effective date remains unchanged at the time of this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to military service, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, left ankle disorder, and left hip disorders are granted. The cases of the left knee disorder and right thigh disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is reopened. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, with particular attention given to whether the claimed MST occurred during service.