Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient information provided by VA regarding examiner files and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and psychiatric disabilities is granted. The Board remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and will obtain additional records, including from Elmhurst Hospital. An addendum VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disability onset during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the offset of DIC benefits by $110,000 settlement agreement under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 (b)(1) is not proper and grants the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's in-service stressor and his current condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus and psychiatric disability are granted as service connected. The Board found the evidence in balance, thus granting the claims due to the Veteran's credible statements regarding his symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and fibromyalgia independently rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, warranting an effective date of January 29, 2013 for special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

The Veteran's service connection for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) has been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between those conditions and CML.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a psychiatric disability, and sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right shoulder condition, but granted service connection for a low back condition. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition including, sleep disturbance, mood disorder (depression, anxiety), and substance abuse is granted as service connected. The claim for lupus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to issues related to the Veteran's character of discharge from service. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran was insane at the time of misconduct leading to his discharge.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss is dismissed. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the existence and etiology of several service-connected conditions, including hypertension, left knee disorder, aching joints, tinnitus, skeletal arthritis of the entire joint system, left elbow disorder, bilateral eye disorder (including sensitivity to light), right knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and bipolar disorder), right elbow disorder, and headache disorder. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's HIV-related conditions are being remanded for further evaluation, including service connection for secondary psychiatric disability, bilateral hip and shoulder disorders, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hypertension, and testicular hypofunction.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left leg disability, but remanded the issue of initial rating for left foot pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, specifically his in-service grenade qualification event and reported racism in the military.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating exceeding 70 percent for acquired psychiatric disorders from August 6, 2013 is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for an initial 70 percent disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorders is granted.

The Veteran's spine disability is granted as it was caused by an in-service fall.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is granted due to credible evidence linking his symptoms to service. His tinnitus is also granted as its onset during active-duty service is supported by competent evidence.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.