Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that her schizophrenia began during her active duty service and persists since then. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions, heart condition, stomach and digestive tract condition, and acquired psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and a new VA medical opinion. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and if so, whether service connection is warranted, are now pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The sinus condition, lung condition (to include COPD), hypertension, residuals of cold weather injury (to include arthritis), and psychiatric disorder (to include depression) issues are remanded for further development.,Additional medical records must be obtained to determine the nature and cause of any current sinus condition, lung condition (to include COPD), hypertension, residuals of cold weather injury (to include arthritis), and psychiatric disorder (to include depression).

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, but the remaining issues of service connection for bilateral hand and finger disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disability remain remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, psychiatric disorder, and ischemic heart disease are granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides based on his MOS as a corrosion control specialist and his work area near the base perimeter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a disability rating for his left hip replacement due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection as his symptoms are not related to his military service.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, based on the receipt of new and material evidence, is granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, substance abuse disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder necessitated payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at CHI from February 3rd to February 7th, as a 'medical emergency' existed and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with depression and schizoaffective disorder, are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including as secondary to service-connected headaches, and for individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's in-service mental health records need to be obtained, and a VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disability was incurred during or caused by his active duty service or service-connected posttraumatic headaches.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The appellant's acquired psychiatric disability and left ear hearing loss are still under review.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 31, 2015 for service-connected disorders was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a timely application for benefits prior to his discharge from active duty on May 30, 2015.

The appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity is dismissed. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was not aggravated by his military service and is instead related to current life stressors.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), asbestosis, residuals of a circumcision (including erectile dysfunction), and sinusitis are all on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and opinion regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder, and a respiratory condition due to asbestos exposure and welding fumes dust.