Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical records and clarify certain aspects of his claims. The specific issues are related to erectile dysfunction, headaches and migraines, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as he does not meet the VA standards for a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, elbow disorder, wrist disorder, hip disorder, knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder (other than right ankle sprain), shoulder disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been remanded due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and service.,The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disorder has also been remanded as no VA examination addressing the direct or secondary theory of entitlement was conducted.,His claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for shin splints, left leg and right leg have been remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various hip and knee conditions, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder, all secondary to the Veteran's right ankle disability. The claims are now pending further examination and evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to lack of new and material evidence for the hearing loss claim, insufficient evidence linking the disabilities to service, and no current disability found for the psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not fully address the Veteran's claims for service connection, and thus the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or service connection based on the criteria provided.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in accounting for the appellant's hearing testimony and considering whether his alcohol abuse was secondary to organic disease or disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right and left hand disabilities, psychiatric disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional action.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and requests a new VA examination for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The examiner is asked to determine if any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence to corroborate his reported stressor. The Veteran is also diagnosed with additional conditions such as major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that new and relevant service records have been added to the claims file, necessitating a reconsideration of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II; acquired psychiatric disorder; and tinnitus service connection claims. The claims are being remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for cold injury residuals to the feet due to lack of current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration of other issues including PTSD, thyroid disability, and hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 18, 2008, for the grant of service connection for paranoid schizophrenia is denied. The earliest communication received from the Veteran following issuance of the February 2007 rating decision that could reasonably be construed as a request for a determination of entitlement to, or that evidences a belief in entitlement to, service connection for schizophrenia, is the VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim, received on August 18, 2008. As such, August 18, 2008, is the earliest date on which entitlement to service connection for paranoid schizophrenia may be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and ensuring all relevant medical evidence has been considered.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence being required. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with diabetes mellitus, type II presumed related to exposure to herbicide agents while in service. Hypertension and erectile dysfunction are also granted as presumptive conditions. Service connection is established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder).

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's condition did not manifest within a year of his active duty and was not related to his military service. The Board also found that any pre-existing condition worsened by re-entry into service after September 2001.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder related to her military service, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for Meniere’s disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cancer of the esophagus, including Barrett’s esophagus, was denied as there is no evidence that he has ever had esophageal cancer.,Service connection for a skin disability (including squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis) was also denied because the Veteran did not have these conditions during service or due to in-service sun exposure.