Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of left shoulder strain, right knee sprain, and left ankle sprain due to insufficient information regarding the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also asked to provide any additional private treatment records related to his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, a mood disorder, and depression) due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions. The claims are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, and schizophrenia has been reopened. Service connection is granted for PTSD. Claims for secondary service connection for heart condition due to PTSD, hypercholesterolemia, brain trauma, arthritis of the hands, neck, back, and shoulders, and degenerative joint of the sacroiliac joint are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder condition, back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. However, the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is denied.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the lack of records from the Veteran's period of active service from January 1971 to December 1973. The VA must attempt to obtain these records and provide a formal finding if they cannot be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder involving the feet, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new evidence received since the last denial of these claims.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding hypertension, migraines, short term memory loss, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for actinic keratosis. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) was granted with a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability and its relationship to his service-connected conditions. The claim for service connection will be further evaluated after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the April 2013 rating decision was not final and remanded the claims for further development. The Veteran's back disability claim is being remanded to obtain an addendum medical opinion, while his PTSD claim requires verification of reported stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the underlying claims are still not substantiated.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be further developed as outlined in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the claim remains denied.,The Veteran's right wrist condition is rated at 10 percent and no higher.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not indicate a compensable degree of disability within one year of separation from active duty.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted based on herbicide agent exposure during service. Service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and headaches are granted service connection. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to provide a more thorough opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression. The VA will attempt to obtain morning reports from his service unit and conduct an addendum examination.

The claim for service connection for TBI was reopened and granted, while the claim for PTSD secondary to TBI was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The right ear hearing loss disability and asthma claims are remanded due to new evidence received since the final denial in February 1994. The acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD) claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and verifying his claimed stressors.