Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain all relevant medical records, particularly those from Lake City VA Medical Center and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case is being remanded to ensure these records are obtained.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for a service-connected psychiatric disability from October 17, 2005 to December 2, 2018 is granted due to the inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment solely due to his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

A 40 percent rating for RSD/CRPS is granted, but no more. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and left knee disorder are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and for GERD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be readjudicated in light of this new evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the absence of a current diagnosis. The claims for left and right foot disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of April 1, 2010 for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted. The earliest effective date legally possible has been assigned.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions, has been dismissed due to their passing away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 1, 2017 for the Veteran's entitlement to TDIU and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran's employment was marginal prior to January 1, 2017, due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, including as due to military sexual trauma (MST), should be remanded. The AOJ needs to correct any pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and obtain a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, finding that his symptoms began during service and continued after separation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability in any of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD.

The appeal with respect to the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is dismissed.,Service connection for migraines is granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.,Secondary service connection is also granted for joint aches, chronic fatigue condition (including dizziness), and chronic abdominal pain as secondary to hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is linked to his obesity, which in turn caused him to develop obstructive sleep apnea. The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), a stomach disorder (to include GERD), a leg disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, a cervical spine disorder, a right ankle disorder, a left ankle disorder, a right hip/thigh disorder, a left hip/thigh disorder, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder for further development.,The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, concluding that the Veteran's depression is not related to his service-connected right ear disability and other intercurrent conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and migraines and post traumatic headaches due to new evidence received. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, while the claim for migraines and post traumatic headaches remains denied.

The claims for service connection for headaches, stomachaches/GERD, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been presented to support the claims.,New and relevant evidence having not been presented, readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for these conditions is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent rating and a rating in excess of 30 percent for left ankle injury status post partial synovectomy and excision of tibial exostosis has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 25, 2013, for the award of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and depression has been dismissed.