Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined by a VA psychiatrist regarding her claimed acquired psychiatric disability. The examination is needed to determine if her current psychiatric condition is related to her military service, specifically her reported in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran's preexisting migraine headaches are found to be aggravated by active service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy involving the sciatic nerve, cervical spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and found that new evidence supports a current diagnosis of left shoulder strain. However, the Board denied service connection for all other claimed disabilities as they were not shown to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for exposure to ionizing radiation, psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims for service connection for these conditions are all denied.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have been rated at 20% since July 2013. The Board has found that the Veteran is entitled to this rating based on her symptoms and medical evidence. However, the Veteran's migraines and psychiatric disorders are still under review due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted with an effective date of April 23, 2013. Service connection for a right eye disability and left eye disability are denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea are denied. Secondary service connection for headaches and acquired psychiatric disability (including an adjustment disorder and depressive disorder) aggravated by tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an arachnoid cyst on her brain and a psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claim for sinusitis was denied, and her claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) and insomnia were granted. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The acquired psychiatric disorder, if any, is also being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left leg disability, and acquired psychiatric disability due to the preponderance of evidence not supporting a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and hypertension, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The acquired psychiatric disability was found to be related to service.,Service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for cognitive and psychiatric impairment due to acute lithium toxicity is denied, while his claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for asbestosis is remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,The left ankle disability rating has been restored from 20% to 10%, effective July 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for left lower extremity disorder, right ankle disorder, right foot disorder, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to missing records from his reserve service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder, vision disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) have been denied.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran’s claimed vision disorder or PTSD due to lack of in-service injury or event, and no current diagnosis of PTSD based on verified stressor. The claim for service connection for a dental disorder is also denied as there was no evidence of loss of substance of the body of maxilla or mandible.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been rated at 10% since its initial grant in February 2017, and an increase to higher ratings is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic schizophrenia is found to have caused or contributed to his death due to a stroke.,SMC benefits for the Veteran based on aid and attendance or housebound status are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the schizophrenia claim and concluding that there was insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis or link between in-service stressors and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, and eye disability have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo has been remanded as an examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his current peripheral vestibular disorder.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a migraine disability has been remanded as an examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his current headache condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been remanded as an examination is needed to determine if he meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a lack of contemporaneous medical records. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA psychiatric examination by an appropriate medical professional.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depression, insomnia, anxiety, nightmares) as the evidence did not show an in-service onset or relationship to service.