Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The appeals of the claims of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a bilateral hip condition are dismissed. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to July 25, 2016, is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a generalized anxiety disorder, has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran suffered from these conditions during service and that they are related to his in-service experiences.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential conflicts in medical opinions. The Veteran will need a supplemental VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including chronic fatigue, sinus disability, respiratory disability (bronchitis), cardiac disability, bowel disability, gastric ulcer disability, sleep apnea, and headaches. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was reopened due to new evidence received.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is granted as service connected. The remaining issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded due to lack of a nexus opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea are all found to be related to service. High cholesterol is not a disability for VA purposes. The acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD), including unspecified depressive disorder and bipolar affective disorder, is also found to be related to service.

The Board has restored a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder effective September 1, 2015, after finding that the reduction of the rating from 50 to 10 percent was improper due to inadequate notice provided regarding the February 2015 VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disorder and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a traumatic brain injury is denied. The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and anxiety, is granted. His claims are remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's son, M.J., is being remanded for further examination and evaluation to determine if he was permanently incapable of self-support as of his 18th birthday due to a mental or physical disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include generalized anxiety disorder), and PTSD due to additional evidentiary development being necessary.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, as well as left ear hearing loss were denied. The claim for payment of nonservice-connected pension benefits while incarcerated was also denied due to the Veteran's incarceration status. The case is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricability with other service connection claims for psychiatric and right knee disorders. The outcome of these claims could affect his TDIU.

The Board denied reopening service connection for schizophrenia as the new evidence did not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's son, N.F., is recognized as a helpless child of the Veteran due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching age 18.,Service connection granted for ischemic heart disease (atherosclerotic heart disease) based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's current disability of degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and invertebral disc syndrome with associated bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is related to his active duty service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, is remanded.

The Board has vacated its May 16, 2018 decision and remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions.