Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence. The Veteran's back disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for colorectal cancer and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential issues with causation related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The case is returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the claims of service connection for various conditions, including adult onset scoliosis, myofascial pain syndrome, syncopal syndrome episode, right wrist carpal tunnel, a chronic shoulder condition, cervical spondylosis, an acquired psychiatric disability, and tibialis tendonitis (left ankle).

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and thyroid disability due to service or service-connected kidney disability. The Veteran's current thyroid condition is not related to his service-connected kidney disability, while his cognitive symptoms are intertwined with diagnosed depression.

The Board has remanded the claims for examinations, medical opinions, and verification of the Veteran’s PTSD stressors due to the Veteran's no-show at scheduled appointments. The claims are now pending again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include right knee, left knee, psychiatric disability (including PTSD), skin condition, asthma or respiratory condition, headache condition, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD due to MST, finding that there is no credible or competent evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and concluding that the Veteran's current mental health symptoms are best explained by and fully attributable to her diagnosed borderline personality disorder and severe substance abuse disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for rhinitis has been denied as there was no prior claim received before February 23, 2012.,The Veteran's initial rating for rhinitis is also denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD related to military sexual trauma, is granted. The claims for right and left knee DJD, bilateral hearing loss, upper back and neck conditions, infertility or miscarriage are not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and a depressive disorder) have been reopened, and the evidence supports these claims. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of PTSD and depression, which are causally related to his verified in-service stressor.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's reported in-service stressors, specifically one involving a Korean soldier pointing a shotgun at him. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for traumatic brain injury (TBI) was denied, as the highest level of impairment found did not exceed a 10 percent disability rating.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression, was also denied an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent. The Board noted that his symptoms were primarily related to mental health issues rather than TBI.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation from examiners and issues related to effective dates for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to COPD. Additional development is needed, such as obtaining medical records and a VA opinion on the nature and etiology of COPD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressive mood) are related to his service-connected vitamin B12 deficiency, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral wrist condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder are not granted. The case is being remanded to gather more information.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, and generalized anxiety disorder is remanded due to unverified stressors and need for further examination.,Service connection for a right thigh disability is remanded as there are no current medical records linking the condition to service.,Service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded due to pre-existing conditions that may have been aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether any current psychiatric disorders are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation and opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including low back, knee, ankle, and foot injuries, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to the need for additional medical examinations.