Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder as there was no evidence of onset or causation during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of continuity of symptomatology from service to present time and failure to consider a stressor event. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to address his remaining claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right foot, left foot, vascular, hip, and knee disabilities as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder, all of which are found to be proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected orthopedic injuries.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disability, shrapnel in the left leg, asbestosis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) are denied. The claim for residuals of shrapnel in the left leg is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, status post left rotator cuff repair with partial tearing with degenerative changes and bursitis, sarcoidosis, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The cases are remanded due to new evidence received since the last final rating decisions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the claims for service connection for DM, CKD, and CAD due to insufficient evidence of in-service exposure.

The Veteran's right knee scars are not associated with underlying soft tissue damage and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,There is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran’s low back disorder or left knee disorder are related to service. The Veteran should be provided another opportunity for an examination.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with depression, which may be related to his in-service motorcycle accident. A VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.,VA examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee arthritis and instability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the service-connected schizophrenia during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hand condition, back condition, neck condition, left arm condition, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches have been denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of a stressor related to the Veteran's in-service death. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s in-service stressor and contact them if more details are needed.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.,Effective October 7, 2013, the Veteran's right hand disabilities (thumb, index finger, long finger, ring finger, and little finger) are granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no valid diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV or DSM-5 by any qualified medical examiner. The Board found that the gap between his last date of active service and initial evaluation of possible mental disorders was probative of a lack of nexus to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient verification of his periods of active duty and inactive duty training. The issues remain in a pending state.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition has been granted.,Service connection for headaches as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric condition is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and teeth condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded.,The evidence does not meet the criteria for a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or teeth condition under VA regulations.

The Board has restored the Veteran's total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, effective January 1, 2019. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to failure to obtain a VA examination. The Appellant was not properly notified of the scheduled examination, and he resided in a shelter at that time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including verification of stressors and a VA examination.