Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and an initial compensable rating for a left finger hairline fracture. The appeal for service connection for a psychiatric condition, including anxiety disorder, mood disorder, bipolar manic depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and substance abuse, as well as the secondary service connection claim for a cervical spine condition due to a psychiatric condition, are remanded.

The Veteran's TBI is granted, with the condition being at least as likely as not related to multiple head traumas sustained during active service.,The Veteran's headache condition and acquired psychiatric disorder are both granted, with the conditions being proximately due to his service-connected TBI.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and left ear hearing loss. The case is remanded to determine if there are any new or material pieces of evidence that can support these claims, as well as to address the issue of special monthly compensation based on need of regular aid and attendance due to potential psychiatric symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal and psychiatric conditions due to incomplete verification of a claimed stressor, need for additional medical opinions, and potential need for new private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including a determination of whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or pre-existed service.

Service connection is granted for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, both presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in service.,High cholesterol claim is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability and PTSD, finding that new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for hyperhidrosis of the palms and soles. The service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is granted. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED), to include as secondary to a mental health disability, is remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, during the period on appeal. The Veteran's assertions have not been supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder arthritis and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) should be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and missing records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant treatment records, including from Dr. Torres at the Pocatello VA outpatient clinic and any Okinawa, Japan sources. They are also required to schedule new VA examinations of the Veteran’s left shoulder disability and associated psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,Tinnitus has been granted service connection, with the Board finding that it is related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).,The Veteran's major depressive disorder, NOS is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is found to be related to his service in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the current evaluations for the Veteran's unspecified mental disorder, residuals of a fractured nose, and major seizure disorder do not reflect their severity. Therefore, these claims are remanded to allow for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, bilateral foot disability, and acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient medical evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia and an acquired psychiatric disability (excluding PTSD), including depression, have been withdrawn. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI with headaches, vision disturbances, and memory loss has been granted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected as there is no current diagnosis and the condition did not manifest during or within one year after service.,Hypertension was not incurred in service, as it first appeared many years post-service. The claim for hypertension is denied.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (likely related to a traumatic brain injury) is also not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the condition to active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, was denied in January 2002 and became final. The Veteran reopened his claim on April 15, 2014, after a VA examination diagnosed him with recurrent major depressive disorder. Service connection was granted effective from April 15, 2014.