Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a single 10 percent rating since September 2014 and there is no legal basis for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability does not meet the requirements for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits under Chapter 31 of the United States Code.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent disability rating for service-connected schizophrenia, paranoid type. The earliest possible effective date is April 24, 2013.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia, is granted. The Board has decided that a VA examination should be conducted to determine if the Veteran currently has a psychiatric disorder and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for seizures and an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, and the claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to vertigo, paresthesia/numbness and loss of strength in his right hand, and PTSD need further examination and opinion due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's claims for prostate condition, kidney stones, cysts on adrenal glands, vestibular dysfunction with vertigo, balance issues, and nausea, as well as acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and mood disorder) are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is related to her military service and grants this claim. The claim for PTSD remains denied as there is no valid diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left-knee disorder. The reasons are that the findings from the February 2014 VA examination are not sufficiently specific for evaluation purposes, and additional information is needed to determine the extent of impairment due to flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's bilateral hand strain, acquired psychiatric condition, and lumbosacral strain (claimed as a lower lumbar condition) have been granted service connection. The initial rating for the lumbosacral strain has also been granted at 10 percent.

The Veteran's dementia of the Alzheimer’s type is due to exposure to toxic gases, fumes, chemicals and fuels in service. The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder on the basis of new evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for a chest infection with breathing problems was dismissed. The claims for service connection for left foot pain, left knee pain, high blood pressure, and various lower extremity disabilities were granted. The remaining issues of service connection for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional information and records from his treatment providers.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination of his psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, to his service. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to pending issues related to the Veteran's car accident in March 2001. The claims will be addressed after obtaining relevant personnel and medical records from his National Guard and/or Reserves service.

Service connection for high cholesterol is denied. An earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus than April 18, 2012 is denied.,The claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a stomach disorder (hiatal hernia and/or gastroesophageal reflux disease) have been denied. The Board has found insufficient evidence to establish service connection on any basis.