Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including sleep walking, anxiety and schizophrenia. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression; residuals of left foot strain (including arthritis); bilateral hearing loss; and tinnitus require further development due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,For his coronary artery disease, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 28, 2017 and 30 percent from that date onwards. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on METs levels or other criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, right shoulder disability, tinnitus, and special monthly pension are remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia reaction, gunshot wound to the chest, and left ulna fracture render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his condition. The Board granted Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, finding that there was no credible evidence supporting her allegations of military sexual trauma or domestic violence during service.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, parathyroid disability, seizure disorder, and swallowing disorder. The Veteran's claims were also denied for reopening his claims for lip cancer and stroke residuals due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's mental health.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, penile disability (manifested by erectile dysfunction), gastrointestinal disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD.,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed left knee disability or penile disability (manifested by erectile dysfunction) within the appellate period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disability and psychiatric disability due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any pertinent private medical records, schedule appropriate VA examinations, and consider the Veteran's lay history.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, cardiovascular disability, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his left knee, multiple painful and unstable scars, multiple other scars, and tinnitus have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for a psychiatric disability secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and degenerative changes are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and an acquired psychiatric disorder are both denied as secondary to service-connected conditions.

Service connection is granted for a left knee condition, right knee condition (secondary to the service-connected left knee condition), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder).,The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are found to be caused by in-service injuries. Service connection is also granted for his major depressive disorder as it is determined to be related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the service-connected lumbosacral strain remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, is related to his military service and grants this claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as traumatic brain injury. The issues of service connection for bilateral knee, back, hip, and ankle conditions have been remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for high cholesterol and an effective date prior to March 8, 2013, for the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy and sinus tachycardia have been dismissed due to her withdrawal from appeal. The remaining issues of service connection, rating, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to procedural errors in previous decisions, including issues with timeliness of notices and obtaining STRs from the Veteran's period of active duty for training. The claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted a rating of 30 percent, but not higher, beginning December 5, 2017. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to intractable medical evidence.