Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened, and the case is remanded for further evaluation. The diabetes mellitus, type II, with mild renal failure claim is also remanded.

The application to reopen a claim for PTSD is granted, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is also granted. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and TDIU is remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a VA examination, as well as further development of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including lumbar spine condition (claimed as back condition), GERD, mental disorder (claimed as depressive illness), hyperlipidemia, left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, left and right hip arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, discoid lupus erythematosus, hypertension, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is not service connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his withdrawal of these claims during his July 2018 hearing. The remaining issues were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied in a final April 2011 rating decision. New and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim.,The Veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his left ear hearing loss, but the current noncompensable rating remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and scars related to second degree burns are remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), diabetes mellitus, and a headache disorder are not granted. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's service aboard USS Camden and to schedule him for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned to the RO for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a headache disorder is granted. Claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, acquired psychiatric disorders, low back, eye, and hearing disorders are denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding the timeliness of his notices of disagreement and entitlement to a higher rating for left knee disability. The appeal was also dismissed as he withdrew his claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle and foot conditions, as well as acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's service-connected right leg disability may be contributing to his current right ankle and foot disabilities, and any psychiatric disorder present during the claim period is likely related to his chronic pain.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claims for service connection for myositis, cervical strain (neck disability), spinal stenosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, COPD, edema, GERD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and bronchitis have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to potential exposure to contaminated water and other hazardous materials during service. The VA will verify this exposure and obtain an etiological opinion regarding the relationship between these exposures and the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a respiratory disorder as they were not appealed in a timely manner.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted, as well as for additional VA examinations. The Veteran's back disability, bilateral lower extremity neurological impairment, psychiatric disability (depression and anxiety), and right ear hearing loss disability are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and traumatic brain injury were denied. The Board found that the pre-existing conditions did not meet the clear and unmistakable evidence standard, and there was no aggravation of these conditions during service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include schizophrenia, is remanded due to the need for further examination and development of records.

The Board has determined that the dates of active duty and National Guard service need to be clarified before further adjudication can occur. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a prostate disorder was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim. Appeals for other conditions were denied as untimely.