Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and record development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain relevant federal records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran is encouraged to submit a supplemental claim if he wishes to further develop his contention of secondary service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation. The Veteran's reported stressor could not be verified and his lay statements were insufficient to establish the occurrence of the stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and established a link between his in-service stressor (an explosion on the ship he was on) and his current symptoms.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is granted as service connected. The VA will remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding chronic sinusitis, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and chronic bronchitis.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a pilonidal cyst from the left gluteus and a left gluteus scar. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of death. The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition and prescribed medication are under review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to psychiatric disabilities because of conflicting reports regarding the Veteran's active duty service. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of tinnitus and service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to the submission of new VA treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered with these records, and a new psychiatric examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and bipolar disorder, are granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and heart problems has been granted. The claims for PTSD and depressive disorder have been reopened due to new evidence linking the conditions to a service-connected condition (left knee disability). Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on secondary basis is also granted. However, service connection for tinnitus, heart problems, and acquired psychiatric disorders are denied.

The Board has vacated the November 2018 decision and remanded two issues: service connection for a mental disorder (claimed as a psychiatric condition) to include as secondary to service connected disability, and service connection for sleep apnea to include as secondary to a mental disorder. The Veteran's representative argued that new evidence should have been considered in the November 2018 decision.

The Board has denied a rating greater than the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent for irritable colon syndrome.,The Board has remanded issues related to chronic fatigue, chronic sinusitis, general allergies, breathing problems, sleep disturbances, functional dyspepsia, and headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, enlarged heart, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to secondary service connection. Additional development is needed including VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and unobtained SSA disability benefits records. The appellant's claims for these records are being sent back to the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, tinnitus, sleep apnea, insomnia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (nightmares) as the evidence did not show a current disability or a link to military service.,Service connection was denied because there was no increase in severity of pes planus during service, and the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to military noise exposure.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence of a stressor underlying the diagnosis.,An effective date prior to October 18, 2016, for the grant of service connection for left knee instability is denied because it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran’s left knee disability manifested with instability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, left ankle disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) due to incomplete medical records from Social Security Administration.