Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that there was no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability. The Board also found that the evidence did not support a secondary service connection claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's shin splints claim is being remanded as it may be related to his already service-connected bilateral pes planus, and a new examination is needed.,The Veteran's left wrist disorder claim is being remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) claim is being remanded due to the need for an in-service stressor verification and a VA psychiatric examination.,The Veteran's prostate disorder claim is being remanded as it may be related to exposure to Agent Orange or other chemicals, and a VA examination is needed.,The Veteran's skin disorder claim is being remanded as it may be related to exposure to Agent Orange or other chemicals, and a VA examination is needed.,The Veteran's kidney disorder claim is being remanded due to the need for verification of an in-service kidney condition or exposure to a chemical or jet fuel associated with assisting with recovery efforts in a plane crash at Eglin Air Force Base.

The Veteran's stomach problems, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. Headaches and leg conditions remain pending as remanded issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, while the claim for a psychiatric disorder was denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is also pending.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased evaluation for an acquired psychiatric disorder, service connection for a left hand disability and back disability, as well as TDIU. The AOJ must schedule new examinations to address these issues.

Your service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been granted in a January 2020 rating decision. This action represents a total grant of the benefit sought on appeal with respect to this issue.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD for the purposes of accrued benefits, finding that new evidence received since the September 2010 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Veteran's in-service stressors are corroborated, and he has been diagnosed with PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and undiagnosed Gulf War illness. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) but not for hypertension, stroke residuals, OSA, or headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, psychiatric disorder, and TDIU have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and clarification, including service connection claims that are currently pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as a nervous condition, depression, and anxiety is dismissed. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for a disability claimed as sleep and dream disturbance is reopened. The issues of entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis, right ear hearing loss, and lumbar strain myositis, central herniated nucleus pulposus at L4/L5 are remanded. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar I disorder, was previously denied but reopened due to new and material evidence. The claim is now granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss remains denied as no new or material evidence has been submitted.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, psychiatric disorder (claimed as panic anxiety attacks), and fibromyalgia due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran sustained a TBI in service and whether his current anxiety and upper extremity tremors are related to this injury. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that his schizophrenia did not develop or aggravate in service and was not a result of military service. The Board also found that the Veteran’s schizophrenia caused his psychotic break leading to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a pilonidal cyst, sulfa allergy, iodine allergy, frostbite of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, heart disability, pneumonia, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), all potentially related to herbicide agent exposure. The Board also requested additional medical records from prison and hospital visits.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his symptoms most closely align with this level of disability.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.