Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his initial disability rating claim for the latter condition, were denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma or any other skin disorder during the appeal period. For the acquired psychiatric disorder, the Board determined that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50% disability rating prior to September 25, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder condition, the relationship between his left shoulder arthritis and his service-connected right shoulder disability, the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability, and the relationship between his sleep apnea and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has remanded them due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, was reopened. The Board found that the evidence is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection for bilateral bicep condition to include tendonitis and bilateral foot disorder including plantar fasciitis are remanded due to lack of a VA opinion. Service connection for anemia and hypertension are also remanded.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.,The Veteran's heart disability claim is remanded as there is no VA examination or etiological opinion addressing the issue.,The Veteran's solitary pulmonary nodule (lung condition) claim is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding the presumption of soundness and aggravation.,The Veteran's service connection for his claimed lung condition is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea and psychiatric disability to include PTSD has been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an eye disability including glaucoma and a right eye injury, a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety and depression, anemia, bilateral foot disabilities, and insomnia. The Veteran's hearing loss disability remains at Level I in each ear.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. Service connection for kidney disease was granted. Other claims for increased ratings and compensable disability ratings were all denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal as all claims for service connection have been granted in full, and no further issues remain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD has been reopened, and the Board grants this appeal. The issues of service connection for right ankle condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, back condition, sleep apnea, and numbness in both arms and the chest are remanded for further development.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a total disability based on individual unemployability.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential new evidence and further development is needed.,The claim for increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine remains pending. A VA examination will be conducted to assess the current severity of the condition.,The claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to potential new evidence from the Veteran's hearing and need further development.,A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder. The examiner must also attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s reported stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a head injury with memory loss and stuttering, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sinusitis as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the death of the appellant, and no rating is assigned as there are no merits issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in a previous VA examination report and the need for further clarification of the Veteran's service connection claim.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, gout, migraine headaches, a left hand disorder, heartburn, a right foot disorder, and a left arm disorder. The appeals were not granted as the medical evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as depression and PTSD, is not service connected. The right foot disability is also not service connected. Service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected paranoid schizophrenia caused or contributed substantially or materially to her death, including as a result of an injection of antipsychotic medication shortly before she died. The VA must obtain new medical opinions and additional VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus (DM II) and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include major depressive disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracic lumbar strain.