Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion to clarify the Veteran's diagnoses and attribute psychiatric symptoms to specific conditions. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU prior to June 13, 2014 are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, a hand condition, skin cancers, and a lung condition. The Veteran's claim for PTSD was also denied.,Service connection was not established for any of these conditions as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the Veteran did not provide credible supporting evidence that his claimed stressors actually occurred.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further medical evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disability due to a lack of medical opinions on record.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted. The Board found that there were sufficient in-service manifestations to establish a current disability during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, HIV, and hepatitis C have been dismissed.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection regarding a bilateral hand disability, low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression) need further development. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and cyclothymic disorder, as well as hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnoses are being evaluated further.,The appeal regarding a cervical spine disorder is also remanded due to insufficient medical records.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a conflict in representation and requires further action from the Veteran.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The claim for a low back disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition that began in service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating of prostatitis due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are all granted service connection. However, his low back disorder is not due to a service-connected disability, and his bilateral peripheral neuropathy is not related to a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability and a seizure disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety), finding no current diagnosis of such a condition.,Service connection was also denied for bicuspid aortic valve, as the Veteran's pre-existing defect did not worsen during his period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are based on in-service stressors and current diagnoses of various mental health conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and are not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran’s tinnitus was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's subjective reports of onset were inconsistent with his contemporaneous treatment records.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of psychiatric disability (including PTSD, MST, substance and alcohol abuse, schizophrenia, and depression) that began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury based on the receipt of new and material evidence is granted. The claims for service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and trichotillomania, is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher evaluation as the evidence does not support total occupational and social impairment.