Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that new material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, and headaches. The issues of secondary service connection for bilateral hip pain, lumbosacral strain, a heart disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and toe disability are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and nervous disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition or any in-service onset. The VA medical opinions concluded that the current psychiatric disabilities were not related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need of regular aid and attendance of another person is denied because there is no evidence that he needs such assistance due to his service-connected conditions.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

Service connection is granted for acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and PTSD. Service connection is denied for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service exposure. The claim for peripheral vestibular disorder (claimed as vertigo) is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and neurogenic claudication are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, amputations of toes, glaucoma, and cardiovascular issues, were denied as there was no evidence to support the assertions that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right elbow disability and psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as secondary to service-connected residuals of fracture of right ring finger due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's vertigo and hypogonadism were not found to be related to service or his service-connected conditions. The seizure disorder was granted as secondary to hepatitis C, while the acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and insomnia) was also linked to the seizure disorder and hepatitis C.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and a higher rating for hepatitis C was not warranted due to lack of incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection is denied for all four conditions as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied due to lack of current diagnoses or established links to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, sleep apnea, and a psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right ankle sprain, left elbow disability (olecranon spurs), cervical spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The cases are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for cervical spine condition, lower back condition, pes planus, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all denied due to lack of current diagnoses or causal relationship to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and somatoform disorder) is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for situational maladjustment with depression and anxiety is reopened, but further development is needed to address the merits of his claim.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's service-connected corneal scar, left eye, and an expert opinion is required regarding his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The case is being remanded to allow for this additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and diffuse granulomata of lungs, calcified, inactive and asymptomatic due to new evidence received since the final denial. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is aggravated by his service-connected mandible fracture. The Veteran claims that his anxiety and depressive disorder have worsened due to symptoms such as numbness, drooling, and embarrassment caused by the jaw disability.