Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder).,Service connection is also granted for internal derangement left knee with limitation of flexion, a separate rating for extension prior to March 17, 2018, and an increased rating from March 17, 2018. The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, paranoid type, with alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent for the period on appeal. The reductions of his evaluation from 30 to 10 and then to noncompensable are being remanded due to a claim of CUE.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service injuries. Service connection was denied for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression or PTSD), and a sleep disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and re-adjudication of the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete Reserve records and unverified ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA periods of service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depressed mood). The criteria for these conditions were met as they began during service and have continued since.

The Board has denied reopening of claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, bilateral eye condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and PTSD). The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including knee, shoulder, hip, and psychiatric conditions. The Veteran's claims are being referred back for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. However, the case is remanded as further medical examination and opinion are needed to determine if a current psychiatric disorder had its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including a VA mental health examination to address conflicting clinical findings. The SMC issue is also remanded pending completion of this development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right hand condition, refractive error and blepharitis (vision problems), bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, and psychiatric disorder. The decision also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service medical records and a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis of multiple joints, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and congestive heart failure as secondary to drug use due to an acquired psychiatric disorder. Additional evidence is needed from VA treatment records and SSA records, and further VA examinations are required.

The Board denied reopening the previously denied claim of service connection for schizophrenia with paranoid personality disorder because the new evidence submitted was not material and did not address the reason why the claim was previously denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type II, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and somatoform disorder) due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for respiratory disability, seizure disability, heart disability, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for diabetes mellitus. The appeal as to the reopening of an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are granted. The claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disability is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his active service.