Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and are related to a qualifying chronic disability. Other gastrointestinal issues will be addressed in the remand section.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for asthma has been granted with a 30% rating from May 25, 2012 to December 16, 2013 and a 60% rating since July 20, 2015. The issue of an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for asthma has been withdrawn by the Veteran. His claim for TDIU is inextricably intertwined with his psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board denied the reopening of the service connection claim for schizophrenia due to lack of new and material evidence, as the recent medical records are not sufficient to establish a link between the condition and active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a psychiatric and audiological examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5273 for a marked deformity. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder has been diagnosed as various conditions including PTSD and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective November 9, 2012. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted by the Veteran does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right leg disorder has been withdrawn. The Board also finds that the Veteran does not have established service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. For the period prior to April 13, 2016, the Veteran is granted a 10% rating for his left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder condition, back condition, left leg condition, right leg condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left hip disability, excluding a left hamstring strain and an ischium avulsion fracture, was not related to his period of active duty service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim also required additional development as per the November 2015 remand directives.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, diagnosed as schizophrenia, is not service-connected. The VA examiner found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's in-service stressors and his current symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for psychiatric disability. The Veteran's statements and research provided by his representative indicate a possible link between in-service anxiety and social isolation, which may have led to later diagnosed psychosis.

The Board found that the overpayment of $31,551.08 was properly created due to VA's failure to withhold attorney fees from past-due benefits awarded for TDIU based on service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Schizophrenia, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided to the Veteran in August 2013 is insufficient for purposes of adjudicating the claims and therefore, a remand is warranted. The issues are now REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence and findings.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability for which service connection may be granted regarding the claimed heart disorder, fecal incontinence, or acquired psychiatric disorder. As such, the claims must be denied.

The Board dismissed the issue of entitlement to service connection for a skin disability due to withdrawal. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hepatitis, and right toe disability were denied as new and material evidence was not received.