Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the thoracolumbar spine disability, and scheduling another psychiatric examination using DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a heart disorder have been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence supports the reopening of these claims, but does not find sufficient evidence to grant service connection for any of them.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, hemangioma of the face, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than a mood disorder and cognitive disorder, not otherwise specified; an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 14, 2010, in excess of 40 percent from October 14, 2010, in excess of 70 percent from April 25, 2011, in excess of 40 percent from October 26, 2011, and in excess of 10 percent from November 27, 2013 for TBI; an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to October 26, 2011 and in excess of 50 percent from November 27, 2013, forward, for mood disorder associated with the Veteran’s service-connected TBI; and entitlement to TDIU prior to April 25, 2011 and from October 26, 2011, forward.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for throat/neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and lower back disability. Additional examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased evaluation for unspecified mental disorder and major depressive disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeal. The appeals for increased evaluations of lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities (left and right) were remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including heart condition, hypertension, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disability, and brain cyst. The claims are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected cervical spine, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection claims for left knee disorder, headaches, psychiatric disorder, nausea, and vertigo are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental health condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service medical records and considering all relevant evidence. The Veteran's current disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia was reopened, and he is now granted service connection for PTSD. The Board also found that his major depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, and schizophrenia are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric and low back conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and a psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's headaches are not related to service, except for those already compensated by her fibromyalgia rating. The Veteran's GERD does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on persistent symptoms. Her fibromyalgia and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) appeals have been withdrawn.

The Board has denied service connection for an enlarged heart and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's reported stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to insufficient recent medical records and a need for a new VA examination.