Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has decided that there are outstanding VA and private treatment records related to the Veteran's psychiatric condition. The case is being remanded for the VA to obtain these records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for swings in body weight was denied previously, but the Board has now reopened this claim due to new and material evidence. The psychiatric disability is rated at 50 percent prior to September 14, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's diagnosis of PTSD and the need to obtain a new VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders, left and right knee conditions with lower extremity edema, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of eye injuries and prostate disorder are reopened, but the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains denied. The low back disability is not rated higher than 20 percent, bilateral hearing loss does not meet a compensable rating, and TDIU is not granted.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his right knee disability was granted, but service connection for the condition remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining updated medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine and mental health disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA mental disorders examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is advised that failure to report for this examination may have detrimental consequences on his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a fracture of the left little finger, and the current disability requirement was not met.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case has been remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and is granted service connection. The Board finds the Veteran credible in his report of a decline in hearing loss post-service, but an addendum opinion is needed to address this issue. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of noise exposure or current disability. Service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities (including GERD) and acquired psychiatric disorders are also denied due to lack of medical nexus opinions. An addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's shoulder disabilities is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a disability for VA purposes due to his hearing impairment, as it is less than 40 decibels in all tested frequencies. His TDIU appeal was withdrawn during his October 2017 hearing. The issue of service connection for hypoxia remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including GAD and MDD, is related to service. The skin disability is also considered to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development. The case will be returned to the Board only if full compliance with this decision is achieved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorder) have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a TDIU is warranted based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have somnambulism, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The case is also remanded to obtain a CT scan and VA respiratory examination, as well as an addendum opinion from the December 2016 mental disorder examiner.

The Board found that the Veteran's current schizophrenia was not caused or aggravated by his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also found in favor of the Veteran regarding his current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression/dysthymic disorder), and blood deficiency have been granted with effective dates of September 1, 1999, October 9, 2008, and no date respectively.