Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. However, the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and joint pain (knees and shoulders), but has remanded the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder.,Service connection is sought for a psychiatric disorder, with the Veteran alleging that his current condition may have not been formally diagnosed during service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes the residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), finding that it is etiologically linked to an in-service head injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depressive disorder) due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be further developed by obtaining additional information about in-service stressors and providing a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient notice on secondary service connection, incomplete private treatment records, and need for further medical examinations. The issues include bilateral ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, all potentially related to her service-connected right distal femur fracture residuals.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, back, hip, knee, and foot disabilities, as well as a psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a sinus disability, skin disability, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) are all granted. However, the claim for service connection for ear disability is remanded due to lack of examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient treatment records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the thoracolumbar spine disability, and scheduling another psychiatric examination using DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a heart disorder have been reopened. The Board finds that new evidence supports the reopening of these claims, but does not find sufficient evidence to grant service connection for any of them.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, hemangioma of the face, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than a mood disorder and cognitive disorder, not otherwise specified; an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 14, 2010, in excess of 40 percent from October 14, 2010, in excess of 70 percent from April 25, 2011, in excess of 40 percent from October 26, 2011, and in excess of 10 percent from November 27, 2013 for TBI; an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to October 26, 2011 and in excess of 50 percent from November 27, 2013, forward, for mood disorder associated with the Veteran’s service-connected TBI; and entitlement to TDIU prior to April 25, 2011 and from October 26, 2011, forward.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for throat/neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and lower back disability. Additional examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased evaluation for unspecified mental disorder and major depressive disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeal. The appeals for increased evaluations of lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities (left and right) were remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including heart condition, hypertension, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disability, and brain cyst. The claims are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected cervical spine, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection claims for left knee disorder, headaches, psychiatric disorder, nausea, and vertigo are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental health condition.