Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has determined that additional development is needed before the claim can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Veteran's right eye condition and hypertension were denied as they are not related to service. The Board found no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury during service for the right eye condition, and there is no indication that the current wrist, back, ankle, and psychiatric conditions are related to military service.,The Veteran's bilateral wrist, lumbar spine, and right ankle disabilities were remanded as VA needs to determine if they are related to her military duties. The acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and mental disorder for treatment purposes were also remanded due to the need to corroborate the in-service stressor.

The claim for diabetes mellitus type II has been reopened and granted.,The claim for coronary artery disease has been reopened and granted.,The claim for hemorrhage from brain vessels (stroke) has been reopened and denied.,The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and denied.,The claim for erectile dysfunction has been reopened and denied.,The claim for bilateral arthritis of the feet has been reopened and denied.,The claim for bilateral arthritis of the hands has been reopened and denied.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and acquired psychiatric disorder (including other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder) are granted service connection as due to a qualifying chronic disability. The grant of presumptive service connection for the gastrointestinal condition renders moot any theories of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, and he is now granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The reduction of ratings for his upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were not proper, and the claims for restoration of ratings are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his claimed in-service stressor did not actually occur and that his current psychiatric disorder is unrelated to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse disorder was denied because the new evidence submitted did not substantiate his in-service stressor claim.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claims for service connection of the right hip disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a bilateral shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, basal cell skin cancer, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and a headache disability. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has assigned temporary 100 percent disability ratings for the Veteran's psychiatric disability during certain periods. The appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and a need to obtain SSA records related to SSI benefits.

The Board has denied reopening of the claims for service connection for fracture of the right mandible and left condyle, fractured teeth, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and mixed anxiety and depressive mood disorder). The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide a new VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied service connection. The Board found that the current conditions did not manifest during or are otherwise related to active service.,The Veteran was unable to establish a nexus between his current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is caused by the pain from his service-connected conditions, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The claim for service connection for lymphoma and its residuals has been remanded. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder) also needs to be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the feet due to frost bite, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for arthritis, chronic lumbar pain, severely damaged feet, and a psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The claims are now pending before the RO.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted a 50% rating. The psychiatric and low back disability claims are remanded for further evaluation.