Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, bilateral knee conditions, and an acquired psychiatric condition (major depressive disorder and paranoia) as new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions and need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and anxiety/depression disorders, as well as a need for further examination of his low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been denied due to his failure to appear for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the Veteran's failure to appear at a scheduled DRO hearing.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and GERD as the evidence did not establish current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, neck disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.,The VA examinations and medical opinions provided clear reasoning against the Veteran’s assertions of service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, PTSD, and a sleep disorder due to lack of evidence supporting current diagnoses. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease has been denied. The Board also remanded several other claims related to service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and remanded it due to new evidence. The psychiatric disability is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the back disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric condition should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records, conducting a VA examination, and reviewing medical research.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, COPD, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and broken jaw residuals due to incomplete service treatment records and missing VA medical records. The Board also requested SSA disability benefits records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the service connection claims related to lumbar spine condition, neck condition, left and right ankle conditions, arthritis and gout of the bilateral feet, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (chronic depression).

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and seeking medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as there may be pertinent treatment records in existence that have not yet been associated with the claims file. The appellant's service records need to be verified, and all outstanding medical records must be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and right biceps strain with scar are granted. Service connection for a low back disorder and residuals of TBI are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's right eye blindness was not incurred in the line of duty and is denied.,The Veteran's right-hand scar preexisted service and is not aggravated by service, thus denial.,The acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service and are denied.,Bilateral knee osteoarthritis did not manifest during or within one year after service and is denied.,Bilateral hand osteoarthritis was not shown to be chronic during service and is denied.,Low back disability is not shown to exist currently and is denied.,Neuropathy is not shown to exist currently and is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and schizophrenia, are related to his military service.