Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and cervical spine disorder due to new and material evidence having been received.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his death to any other condition. The claim for DIC is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, hearing loss evaluation, and TDIU due to unemployability based on his service-connected disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to support these claims. Service connection is granted for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders).

The Board denied service connection for an upper respiratory disability, finding no evidence of a current respiratory disability.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD with moderate alcohol use disorder. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to his service-connected PTSD and alcohol use disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the date of initial onset and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, depression, and lack of sleep.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD). The examiner must address whether these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, effective August 30, 2011.

The Veteran's low back, right knee, and right foot disabilities are being remanded for review of additional evidence. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded with a request to consider an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to March 23, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability. However, the claim itself remains denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, seborrheic keratosis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia caused his substance abuse, which in turn contributed to his death due to bronchopneumonia. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed conditions, including bladder cancer, abdominal aortic aneurysm, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea. The claims are being reviewed in light of potential herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are being remanded due to the receipt of new and material evidence. The rating for right sciatic radiculopathy is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to various issues, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and verifying in-service stressors. The case is also being examined again by a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional records. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed, along with his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional development, including verification of service in 2007 and obtaining treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were better accounted for by his substance abuse and emerging schizoaffective disorder rather than military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination in connection with the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,New evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), and disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. Therefore, these claims are reopened.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, left hand disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, or disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's current bilateral elbow disorder is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of such during service. The claim for reopening is denied.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a left hand disorder. This claim remains denied on the merits.,New and material evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, but these claims remain denied on the merits.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) is related to his service, as there is nexus evidence linking it to service. The claim for reopening is granted.