Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, lower back condition, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), left hip injury, and skin rash on buttocks and chest have been granted. The cases of the left hip injury and skin rash are not currently considered as they do not meet the criteria for a current disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for back disability, headaches, bilateral foot condition, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to issues with obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, joint pain, sleep disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder and PTSD) have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for these conditions. The rating for the low back disability is at least 40 percent throughout the appeal period, while initial ratings of 10 percent are granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy effective from November 13, 2013. The claim for TDIU has been remanded.

The Veteran is granted special monthly pension at the housebound rate prior to November 1, 2011 due to a combined rating of over 60 percent for his service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities. The need for aid and attendance was not established prior to this date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for a left knee disorder is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal as all issues were withdrawn by the appellant or her authorized attorney.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service witnessed explosion incident.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date prior to July 16, 2013 for the award of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is denied. The Veteran's claim for increased rating and TDIU are remanded due to evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's heart disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension are all granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and bipolar disorder) is remanded as the VA examination did not address other diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records, and for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is not resolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, unspecified trauma disorder, and persistent depressive disorder due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of in-service stressors. The Board found that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim for lumbar degenerative disc disease was previously denied, but new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The claim for PTSD is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back and neck disorders, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient development. The Veteran's STRs are unavailable, but his statements from fellow service members, private treatment records, and VA examinations support his contentions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for multiple sclerosis, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for any of these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a stroke due to new and material evidence. The claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded as well.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during his period of active duty or their relationship to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot disability, headache disability, chest pain disability, and psychiatric disability due to conflicting VA opinions and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in determining the onset of each condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric condition.