Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, is rated at 70 percent since October 24, 2007, to April 21, 2009. The rating for the service-connected psychiatric disorder was increased to 70 percent from April 22, 2009, to June 12, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, right foot numbness, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to her period of active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for a neck condition as the evidence does not establish that it is related to her military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's periods of active service and to obtain any outstanding military personnel records. The Veteran also needs VA examinations for his claimed disabilities, including neck disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was granted with an effective date of August 24, 1996. The original claim was filed within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The VA treatment records from April 2013 to the present must be obtained. A VA examination will also be conducted to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied service connection for scoliosis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was also not granted service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus remains pending as it is currently rated at 10%.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) was also denied because the evidence did not establish a relationship between the condition and military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and TB disability have been granted service connection, with the TB disability receiving a 100% rating since April 27, 2011. The diabetes mellitus type II claim for secondary service connection has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches from March 3, 2015, to August 2, 2018, was denied. The Veteran also had his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) denied due to lack of a verified stressor.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, impotency, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), all for accrued benefits purposes. The decision found no current disabilities or evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the Veteran filed a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding seven service connection claims, and thus remanded these issues for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, shin splints, shoulder disorders, frostbite, psychiatric conditions, traumatic brain injury, headaches, wrist, hip, ankle, knee, elbow, little finger, plantar fasciitis, joint pain, back pain, neck pain, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, skin disorder, and eye problems.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions. The Board has remanded these cases due to the need for further development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders and polysubstance dependence. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records, schedule an examination, and provide addendum opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia, is reopened. However, the issue of entitlement to service connection remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left wrist disability. The appeal regarding TDIU is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, a liver disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including as secondary to the service-connected knee disabilities), and pes planus. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as schizophrenia). The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence linking current hearing loss to service. For the psychiatric disorder, additional VA treatment records are needed and a VA examination should be scheduled.

An increased evaluation of 70 percent for schizophrenia, paranoid type is granted effective August 23, 2006. The issue of entitlement to a total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) related to service-connected schizophrenia prior to March 22, 2012, is also addressed and granted.