Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, particularly those related to service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are related to service. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with paranoid schizophrenia, has been reopened. However, the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection as his current diagnosis of unspecified schizophrenia is not related to service or any in-service stressor. The claim for secondary service connection for hypertension was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence meeting VA's definition of impaired hearing. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than MDD, claimed as PTSD, was reopened based on new and material evidence showing potential PTSD symptoms.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for muscle spasms, heart disability, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, hernia, ulcers and an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and depression. The claims are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various spinal, nerve, joint, and psychiatric disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of these issues. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities, schizophrenia with anxiety, and TDIU due to incomplete STRs and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but the issues are being remanded due to missing medical records and need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder including panic disorder without agoraphobia and for TDIU due to service-connected disability. Additional development is needed, including obtaining records from any additional treatment providers, providing appropriate notice and assistance for the TDIU claim, and scheduling the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for left knee disability, left shin splint disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (secondary to a claimed left knee disability). The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are remanded to obtain VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disorder is dismissed.,Service connection granted for GERD and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, a hole in the lung, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and anxiety as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis, anosmia, sarcoidosis, hypertension, and psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence. The VA will obtain additional treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder NOS, is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities. The lumbar spine disability is also found to be related to the service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete development of records and inadequate statement of reasons and bases for denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development and consideration. The RO will consider the new evidence submitted by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features, Anxiety Disorder not otherwise specified, and PTSD, is related to his service. The preponderance of evidence supports this finding.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded his claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence or attend VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is granted service connection. The initial rating for tinnitus remains at 10%. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is set at January 10, 2014. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.