Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia, which is claimed as an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, had its onset during his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for patellofemoral pain syndrome/chondromalacia patella, right knee is dismissed due to a lack of timely NOD. The Board also found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder requires further development as there were duty-to-assist errors in obtaining relevant medical records and conducting an adequate examination.

The Veteran's daughter was recognized as his minor child for the purposes of additional dependency compensation effective August 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate disability and psychiatric disability have been reopened, but the Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted reopening of claims for service connection for fatigue, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and migraine headaches. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired mental disorder, including bipolar disorder, and for a compensable rating for epididymitis, left testicle, are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for high blood pressure has been withdrawn.,Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and no evidence linking it to in-service stressors or any other injury, event, or disease.,Service connection for PVD is denied due to lack of a nexus between the condition and service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's history of smoking is also considered.,Service connection for a skin rash is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to in-service events.

The Board has denied service connection for positive tuberculin reaction- purified protein derivative (PPD) test and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, alcohol abuse, panic disorder, and mood disorder, and insomnia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts and hernia has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder), and left ear hearing loss have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for a skin condition and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no confirmed stressor.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of migraine headaches, shortness of breath post aggravated deviated septum, and hypertension are REMANDED. The Veteran also seeks service connection for a deviated septum and a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia). These claims are referred to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is stayed. The claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are granted to the extent of reopening. A rating in excess of 20 percent for superficial peroneal neuropathy of the left lower extremity (left leg numbness) is denied. The claim for service connection for GERD remains pending.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are granted to the extent of reopening. A rating in excess of 20 percent for superficial peroneal neuropathy of the left lower extremity (left leg numbness) is denied. The claim for service connection for GERD remains pending.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are granted to the extent of reopening. A rating in excess of 20 percent for superficial peroneal neuropathy of the left lower extremity (left leg numbness) is denied. The claim for service connection for GERD remains pending.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are granted to the extent of reopening. A rating in excess of 20 percent for superficial peroneal neuropathy of the left lower extremity (left leg numbness) is denied. The claim for service connection for GERD remains pending.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are granted to the extent of reopening. A rating in excess of 20 percent for superficial peroneal neuropathy of the left lower extremity (left leg numbness) is denied. The claim for service connection for GERD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining clarification of stressors and verifying them, as well as providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder) and remanded the claims of rhinitis and sinus disorder due to a lack of medical evidence.

The Veteran's initial rating for headaches has been granted at a 50 percent disability rating. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, previously denied due to lack of new and material evidence, is now reopened. Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is established based on credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for TBI, acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD and anxiety/depression secondary to TBI, and erectile dysfunction secondary to acquired psychiatric disability due to inadequate examinations and potential missing in-service treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection for various conditions and increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for psychiatric disability, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but remanded for additional development as requested.