Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 are remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including a copy of the police report and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder and effective date claims related to bilateral pes planus with foot strain and metatarsalgia, gastric ulcer rating, and tinea pedis. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records and a VA examiner will be consulted to determine the etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's headache disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disorders.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder and major depressive disorder) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea (related to service-connected deviated nasal septum and rhinitis), left hand disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) are all granted. The Veteran's deviated nasal septum and rhinitis do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder and depressive disorder) is granted, while service connection for arthritis of bilateral hands, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are denied. The claim for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for hypertension is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and a psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease. The current disabilities were found to be unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and to verify his dates of Reserve service. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for dizziness, sleepwalking, and hypertension as new and material evidence was not received.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizoaffective disorder, depression, and a psychotic disorder) is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (claimed as depression) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and his military service. The Veteran needs to provide any outstanding private or VA treatment records, and a VA examination is required to determine if his psychiatric conditions are related to his time in service.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The claims are also remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of hallux valgus and GERD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right ankle sprain was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart condition, which he contends is related to his active military service. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for stroke, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for epilepsy. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for epilepsy, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for brain tumors, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. As stated above, the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange has been conceded. The Board finds a remand is necessary to obtain such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for lung condition, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. As stated above, the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange has been conceded. VA treatment records reflect reports of asthma. Though the record does not contain a definitive diagnosis of asthma or other lung condition, based on his education and training the Veteran is competent to offer evidence of a current disability or persistent or recurrent symptoms of a disability. The Board finds a remand is necessary to obtain such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of an inguinal hernia, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. The service treatment records show a diagnosis of right inguinal hernia in May 1963 and an inguinal hernioplasty in June 1963. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for diverticulitis, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. As stated above, the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange has been conceded. The Veteran underwent a private colonoscopy in July 2016. The colonoscopy report reflects a diagnosis of diverticulitis and polyps. Further, STRs dated January 1966 show reports of abdominal pain, epigastric tenderness, and intermittent indigestion over a period of three months. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.,The Veteran seeks service connection for polyps, which could significantly impact a decision on the issue of service connection for diverticulitis. The issues are inextricably intertwined and thus require remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, which he contends originated in service and continues to the present. He alleges this condition was caused or aggravated by his inguinal hernia and the 'wear and tear' associated with his military training. Alternatively, he alleges that his rheumatoid arthritis was a result of Agent Orange exposure. The Board finds VA must provide such examination pursuant to McLendon.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The appeal of the lumbar spine disability is dismissed, while the psychiatric disorder issue is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of whether the Veteran's current mental health condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in its previous decision, specifically failing to address all of the Veteran's reported military sexual trauma (MST) incidents. The claim is now being reviewed again with a new opinion from an appropriate VA psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Board denied service connection for a mental disorder, diabetes, headaches, high blood pressure, and obstructive sleep apnea as there was no competent and credible evidence indicating that any of these conditions may be associated with service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her service-connected paranoid delusional disorder and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and an examination of her condition.