Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of VA examinations and need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's left knee, eczema, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), low back/tailbone disability, and headache disability are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied, and her claim for service connection for psychiatric disability (including depression and anxiety) is remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, finding that it began during active service and affording the benefit of doubt to the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction claims need further examination to determine their etiology, specifically whether they are secondary to his service-connected schizophrenia.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a right-hand disability has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of current disability or during service.,Service connection for a right ankle disability is denied as there is no evidence of current disability or during service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and MDD) is remanded due to the need for additional opinion regarding both conditions.,Service connection for a right leg disability, left leg disability, back disability, neck disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and right heel/foot disability are all remanded as there is insufficient examination reports addressing all relevant medical evidence of record.,reasoning_summary

The Veteran's claim of service connection for schizoaffective disorder has been reopened, and the Board is remanding his claims for left foot disability, left eardrum injury, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for her lumbar spine disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential worsening since the last VA examination, need for updated VA treatment records, and additional opinions on various theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back condition, to include as secondary to service-connected pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional information from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the Veteran's previous denial of these conditions in 2014 and 2016. The new claim is considered a reopening of those prior determinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and GAD) is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability. His prostate cancer is denied due to lack of exposure to herbicides or other substances in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiometry results and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported exposure to herbicide agents during service, as well as other issues related to diabetes and psychiatric conditions. The claims will be further developed to attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s account of in-service stressors.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder was not etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding insufficient evidence to corroborate the claimed in-service stressor.

The Board is unable to determine the periods of employment and unemployment for the Veteran prior to April 17, 2005 due to incomplete records. The case is being remanded to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for paranoid schizophrenia was granted effective May 29, 2008. The Board denied an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypertension; erectile dysfunction (ED); peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities; and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of evidence.