Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, and denied service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The claim for service connection of the acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Prostatitis, and Acquired Psychiatric Disorder. The claim for increased rating of Heart Disability is remanded. Further development is needed to determine the etiology of Pancreatitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, low back condition, cervical spine condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is also being remanded as it may be secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his psychiatric disability is being remanded due to new evidence received since the January 2019 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's right hip disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and the appeal for a compensable rating is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim requires additional information to be provided by the private audiologist who administered the November 2014 examination.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder and PTSD) is remanded due to incomplete stressor verification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of bilateral lower extremity cellulitis, bilateral hip arthritis, and throat polyps. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating for his prostatitis with BPH.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than January 20, 2012 for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine disability and for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) were both denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of service connection for either condition.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy due to a full grant of benefits. The increased rating claims were denied, and the reduction of disability rating from August 3, 2017 to June 5, 2019 was found to be void ab initio.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of current bilateral hearing loss disability.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected sinusitis with headaches is granted. The Board resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and requests for additional information.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.,The Veteran’s tension muscular headaches are rated as noncompensably disabling prior to August 3, 2015, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.

Service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was granted in a December 2019 rating decision and is therefore dismissed.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims of service connection for rhinitis, hypertension, or bilateral hip disability.,Service connection for a brain disability, neck disability, and ED have not been established due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.,Service connection for vertigo/syncope is remanded as no examination has been conducted.,Service connection for diabetes is remanded as deck logs are needed to determine potential exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and in-service events or stressors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinion and incomplete records, requiring further development including obtaining missing claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for osteopenia, PTSD, and thoracolumbar spine disability due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a previous denial of service connection for PTSD, and now requires additional evidence and an opinion regarding whether any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 22, 2007 for the award of service-connected compensation for PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his psychiatric disorders is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of service connection for a left knee condition and a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, claimed as MST are being remanded due to new evidence received.