Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for a skin disorder, fatigue, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection was denied for left knee disorder and low back disorder.,Service connection was granted for the skin disorder due to active service.

The Veteran is seeking a retroactive effective date for his service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, claiming that the original rating decision in April 2009 was based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The case has been remanded to issue a Statement of the Case addressing this claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes due to herbicide agent exposure is granted. The claims for service connection for a back disability, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse disorder), and hypertension are all remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as new and material evidence was not submitted, and the condition was not incurred in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an unspecified psychiatric disability to include PTSD and an unspecified depressive disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors and that his diagnosed psychiatric disabilities were not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran submitted a valid, timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding his service connection claims for bilateral hip disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is now remanded to issue an SOC on these matters.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 6, 2014, for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating. The claims for service connection for colon disorder and chronic psychiatric disorder are remanded due to incomplete information.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's service connection claim for a head injury, left thumb disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed due to additional evidence received after the last adjudication.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional medical records and a VA examination are needed to determine if the Veteran has any current psychiatric disorders or if his symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his right hand disability was denied as new and material evidence was not received.,His left arm disability, diagnosed as cubital tunnel syndrome and cervical radiculopathy, is also denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for neck spasms (spasmodic torticollis) is denied because there is no medical nexus between the condition and service exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, is denied without a finding of a causal link to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a non-service connected pension and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (other than schizophrenic reaction, paranoid type), to include PTSD, has been reopened and is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for knee pain and an increased rating for GERD. The claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim of whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen the left ankle disability was dismissed. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right ankle arthralgia, bilateral foot condition (flat feet), and erectile dysfunction were all granted. However, the severance of service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome from July 13, 2005, to October 21, 2008, and right ankle arthralgia was improper; restoration of service connection is warranted. The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee prior to October 21, 2008, and an evaluation greater than 10 percent thereafter, as well as his claim for a compensable evaluation for right ankle arthralgia prior to October 21, 2008, and an evaluation greater than 10 percent thereafter, were remanded. The Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction was also remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including paranoid-type schizophrenia and a mood disorder, is denied service connection. His left knee disabilities are also denied in terms of increased ratings.

The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU and special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural errors and insufficient examination, requiring a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is found to be secondary to his service-connected left shoulder degenerative joint disease.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the service-connected left shoulder degenerative joint disease has been granted.

The Veteran's arthritis is not service-connected as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and there is no credible evidence linking the condition to asbestos exposure.,There is no current breathing disability that can be linked to asbestos exposure. The Veteran does not have a diagnosed breathing disability, but his shortness of breath was attributed to congestive heart failure (CHF).,The Veteran's headaches are not service-connected as there is no evidence linking the condition to service or any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's depression is not service-connected as it did not manifest during service and there is no credible evidence linking the condition to a service-connected disability.