Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their passing away, making the issue moot.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, heart condition, and diabetes mellitus have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection is denied for these conditions.,PTSD was not found to be related to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and credibility issues regarding the Veteran's reported PTSD symptoms. The Veteran needs a new VA examination by a different qualified clinician, with full explanations for any conclusions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence relating the disorder to service or a service-connected disability. The claim has been reopened, but new and material evidence is not provided.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was reopened due to new evidence indicating in-service stressors. A VA examination is needed to determine if the current condition is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, as there was no in-service event or injury that caused the current condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and completing a VA Form 21-8940 to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all conditions and issues except hypertension, PTSD/Depressive Disorder with Memory Loss, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, GERD, back disorder, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, right and left hand disabilities, diverticulitis, chronic constipation, urinary incontinence, arthritis of the entire body, fibromyalgia/arthralgia, erectile dysfunction, rhinitis, migraine headaches, fungus of the feet, sinusitis, hypercholesterolemia. The Board dismissed these appeals as per the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for seizure disorder and back disability as secondary to service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for schizophrenia is granted. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted. The issue of service connection for schizophrenia is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the cases are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran’s claims of service connection for a right knee disability, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, sleep apnea, TBI, headaches, seizure disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking an acquired psychiatric disorder to his military service and that it did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and right knee disorder. The decision also includes a request for additional VA examinations to determine current diagnoses and associated impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if her current conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection of left knee, right knee, thoracolumbar spine disabilities and acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are remanded for further development.

The Board is remanding the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left foot disorder, a left ankle disability, and a laceration on the back of head. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.,The Board is remanding the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disorder due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding direct service incurrence and aggravation.,The TBI claim is being remanded as well, requiring a new VA examination to assess current severity.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's left shoulder, low back, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) to determine their etiology. The right shoulder disability is also being remanded for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left heel injury has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with anxious features, has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, colon cancer, and automatic dyscontrol due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran will need to provide additional VA treatment records, undergo a psychiatric examination, a neurological examination, and an opinion regarding his exposure to Agent Orange.