Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and right knee disability are all in need of further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar compression fracture, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder) are all granted service connection. Secondary service connection is also granted for COPD, grand mal seizure disorder, osteoporosis, vertigo, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for unspecified anxiety disorder and depressive disorder with unspecified schizophrenia is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a 70 percent disability rating, but no higher, throughout the claim period.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding other psychiatric disorders, as well as secondary service connection for left chest, back, and arm pain and numbness.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development. The Board finds no basis for granting any of the requested benefits.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression. The Board has remanded the case to address whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a March 2011 rating decision that awarded service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a stomach disorder due to lack of VA examinations.

The issues of service connection for chronic right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability (including major depression and PTSD), but the remaining issues related to GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, and gastroenteritis are remanded.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depression and PTSD, is also service-connected based on a verified stressor.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for left ankle disability. The issues include right ankle disability, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and vertigo.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any residuals of a TBI, an increased evaluation for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, an increased rating for his Achilles tendon rupture, a compensable evaluation for his scar, and service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is also seeking earlier effective dates for some of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to support a link between his in-service experiences and any present condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his COPD and psychiatric disorders, specifically related to exposure in-service.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities may be related to exposure to herbicide agents during service, but further verification from JSRRC is needed. Service connection will be remanded for this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of adequate medical opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with new examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, are related to his service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. Effective dates for the awards of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied, but a higher initial rating of 20% is granted for both conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and lower back disability are service-connected. However, additional evidence is needed to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder (likely including PTSD, anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder) and sciatic nerve disability are also service-connected.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, and TDIU due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide VA Form 21-4142 for all non-VA medical providers seen for mental health disorders and sleep apnea. A new VA examination must be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder, including whether it had its onset during active service or is related to in-service stressors, and if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for periodontal gum disease and hepatitis A have been denied. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for his claimed psychiatric, heart, sleep apnea, neck, upper extremity radiculopathy, head injury residuals, skin disorder, ankle, or knee disabilities.