Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and anxiety), and a left foot disability due to the need for additional information from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, and the Board finds that his acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD) is related to his military service. The rating for photophobia and tension headaches are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for head injury, traumatic brain injury; psychiatric disability other than schizoaffective disorder; and an initial compensable rating for left index finger scar. The Board found no current residuals of a TBI or evidence of a psychiatric disability other than schizoaffective disorder. The left index finger scar was rated as noncompensable due to lack of painful or unstable characteristics.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to in-service laundry duty causing current lumbar spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also being reviewed as secondary to these conditions.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional records and schedule examinations for the Veteran's shin splints, coronary artery disease, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression) has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in their current state. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations and etiology opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the failure to obtain all relevant service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the final denial of service connection for schizophrenia has been granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence received. The issues of low back, bilateral knees, right ear hearing loss, abdominal hernia, shoulder disabilities, heart murmur, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. However, the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) is remanded as there may be outstanding VA treatment records and further examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease was denied, while his claims for service connection of acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) and esophageal cancer due to herbicide exposure are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is denied because his impairment does not meet the criteria due to non-service-connected conditions, including bilateral carpal tunnel.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder and its relationship to service or his service-connected left hip fracture.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for meralgia paresthetica and the thoracolumbar spine disability. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various psychiatric, digestive, musculoskeletal, and skin conditions claimed by the Veteran. The claims will be reviewed again after these examinations.

The Veteran's hyperlipidemia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) are not service-connected.,Diabetes mellitus is remanded for further review due to herbicide agent exposure.,Right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left upper extremity neuropathy are secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II and require further review.,Hypertension is remanded as it may be related to herbicide agent exposure or a heart disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to additional VA treatment records being added to the claims file. The case will be remanded if no waiver is received within 45 days.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher evaluation for his left eye disability. The Board found no evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran’s current psychiatric condition and military service or his service-connected left eye disability.