Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including cervical condition, left foot injury, hypertension, sleep apnea, skin condition, and acquired psychiatric condition. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical records, attempt to corroborate in-service stressors, and arrange for VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically unspecified depressive disorder, as it was less likely than not incurred during or due to active service and is not related to the Veteran's service-connected spine disability and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis, lumbosacral strain, and scoliosis are granted service connection. The respiratory disorder (asthma) and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety) claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was granted a 10% rating from November 13, 2015 to March 19, 2019. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as the evidence did not support that it was incurred in service or due to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and HIV/AIDS as due to military sexual trauma (MST) because the Veteran's reports of MST were not credible, and any currently diagnosed conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold injury to the right and left upper and lower extremities, as well as lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) has been granted.,Service connection is established for all claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an updated VA examination using DSM-5 guidelines and consideration of new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including breast cancer and its secondary effects. The Veteran's contentions regarding her breast complaints in service are considered, but further development is needed to obtain records from private clinics where she received treatment.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for service-connected psychiatric disability was granted, with an effective date of February 19, 2015.,Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were also granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), and sleep disorder have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's contentions that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and diabetes mellitus, type II as the Veteran's claimed stressors related to covert operations in Southeast Asia have not been verified by independent sources. The evidence also failed to show service in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence received and the need for an addendum opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, a psychiatric disorder (specifically persistent depressive disorder), and bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with the examinations provided. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and finds no causal relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, is granted as service-connected. The claim for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities is reopened due to new evidence. The rating for lumbosacral strain remains at 40 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and hypertension, is rated at 70 percent disabling. The effective date for service connection of these conditions has been set to April 6, 2009. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disability and acquired psychiatric disability due to conflicting opinions in the medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining treatment records from Highland Rivers Health Clinic. The appellant's claim of reopening his service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as a psychiatric disorder including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety, are being REMANDED due to the need for additional medical opinions.