Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether hypertension is aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran's private treatment records are also incomplete, and additional requests for these records must be made.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, heart disability, psychiatric disorder including PTSD, and kidney disability due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,There was no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's assertions that he incurred or aggravated any of these disabilities during his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and granted it due to new evidence that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim. The appellant's stressor is conceded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and irritable bowel syndrome have been granted. The heart disability and hypertension secondary to service-connected conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as well as to address whether service connection can be established for a low back disability, a psychiatric disorder, or TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for chronic motion sickness, sleep apnea, and chronic athlete’s foot. The Veteran's claim of PTSD was also denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is stayed due to the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression has been reopened and granted. The Board also remanded the cases of increased ratings for a lumbar spine disability, eczema, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including IBS and psychiatric conditions, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from May 27, 2011 to June 16, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric condition related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric condition (including schizophrenia and PTSD), type II diabetes mellitus, and a foot condition. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The issues of service connection for both conditions are now pending.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition, cervical strain (neck condition), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened and remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's mental state at the time of misconduct leading to his discharge, and to request additional medical records.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted. The appeal is allowed to that extent only, as the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least in equipoise with his claim. The issue of secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's spine pain, headaches, gastritis, and psychiatric disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and inadequate opinions. The Veteran is also required to undergo further examinations for his spine, headaches, gastritis, and psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records, SSA disability determination records, and an examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist to determine the nature of her psychiatric disabilities. An orthopedic examination is also needed to assess the etiology of her low back, left shoulder, right knee, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.