Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The case is being remanded to clarify the Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses and determine their etiology, as well as assess whether his current sleep apnea, hypertension, and drug addiction are related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for liver disability and acquired psychiatric disorder due to withdrawal by his representative. Service connection was granted for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, type II, as due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected schizophrenia is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of current disability. The Board grants the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, based on a finding that her symptoms are etiologically related to in-service sexual assaults.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for left femoral and sciatic nerve disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. The decision is based on evidence showing a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further action on the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, which is intertwined with the issue of acquired psychiatric disability. The appropriate remedy is to defer adjudication of the sleep apnea claim pending the adjudication of the inextricably intertwined acquired psychiatric disability service connection claim.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further examination and analysis regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychological disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) and hypertensive vascular disease. The Veteran was provided with two VA examinations which concluded he did not have a DSM diagnosis of PTSD, but a private psychologist opined that he meets criteria for PTSD due to his time served in Southwest Asia where he was exposed to actual or threatened death or injury. For the hypertension claim, the Board finds that a remand is necessary as there are insufficient records to make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his major depressive disorder without psychotic features due to new evidence added to the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hydronephrosis has been denied as she does not currently experience the condition.,Multiple sclerosis and its related conditions are pending service connection determination due to conflicting opinions.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, as well as his claims for SMC and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability of the left upper extremity was reopened and granted.,Other claims were remanded due to lack of complete application forms.,Service connection was restored for stress headaches, hypertension, valvular heart disease (mitral valve prolapse), iron deficiency anemia, allergic rhinitis, right shoulder sprain/strain, left shoulder sprain/strain, neck sprain and strain, right knee sprain/strain, left knee sprain/strain, right ankle sprain, right hallux valgus, left eye cortical cataract, acne, atrophic vaginitis, and OSA with CPAP.,The Veteran's service connection for fusion of the right fourth finger distal interphalangeal joint was denied as clearly erroneous.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further evaluation is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia, which was diagnosed prior to service, was aggravated during service and is therefore service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, and tinnitus. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased disability ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to clarify his psychiatric condition and its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to new VA treatment records being added to the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical evidence regarding her PTSD diagnosis and insufficient information on other conditions. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to address these issues.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder and allergic rhinitis due to lack of new and material evidence.