Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder should be remanded due to several documents needing translation and a need to issue a statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to service and granted this claim.

The appeal for service connection for osteoporosis has been withdrawn, and the appeal for an acquired psychiatric disability is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his dental condition, back degeneration, left knee condition, sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is directed to provide information about any private medical records from West Suburban Dental and Christiana Care Hospital System.

The Board has dismissed the claims for bilateral hand condition due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues of service connection for shoulder, knee, and skin conditions are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as shortness of breath (asthma), finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for left wrist strain and right eye condition. The Veteran's major depressive disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as service-connected.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased disability evaluation for service-connected lumbar-spine disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder with left-arm numbness (secondary to service-connected lumbar-spine disorder) and acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD.

Your appeals regarding the claims of service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as you did not file a timely and adequate substantive appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of a nexus between current diagnoses and service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is REMANDED as there are conflicting diagnoses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ingrown toenails as secondary to his service-connected disabilities and for an increased rating for his psychiatric disability prior to December 12, 2011. The right knee issues were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Veteran’s left foot residuals of crush injury with metatarsalgia fusion of interphalangeal joint of the great toe with no toe movement and degenerative changes with scars are rated 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5284.,The Veteran's left foot decreased sensation with history of reflect sympathetic dystrophy is remanded for further evaluation. The current assigned rating of 30 percent is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5284.,The Veteran’s TDIU claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating for left foot decreased sensation with reflect sympathetic dystrophy.

The Board denied the petition to reopen claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite of the hands and acquired psychiatric disability, but granted the petition to reopen the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability. The extension of a temporary total rating based on surgical treatment necessitating convalescence beyond July 31, 2012, and the extension of special monthly compensation beyond July 31, 2012, were also denied.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection for asbestosis, PTSD, a back disorder, and calluses/bunions of the left foot. The main reason is that VA did not obtain all the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Veteran's left tibia scar and bilateral tinnitus have been evaluated based on the criteria provided in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, so his claims are denied.,The Veteran's liver transplant is considered to be unrelated to service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current liver condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his diagnosed PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the stressor event. The AOJ needs to further investigate and provide a formal finding if it would be futile to search for records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical evidence and a need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hernia hiatal and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as a sleeping disorder) due to lack of VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, tinea pedis, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right foot disorder, and a left foot disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a head injury due to new evidence submitted, but it remains remanded for further development.,The Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disabilities are also remanded as they may be related to his service-connected plantar wart.