Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder was dismissed. The claim for reopening of cervical spine disability was granted, but only to the extent that it is secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including his service-connected psychiatric disorder and left knee disability, as well as his claim for psoriasis. The Veteran is also seeking to reopen a previously denied claim for spondylosis of the lumbar spine. Additionally, he seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychological disorders examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to service or her right ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, neurocognitive disorder (dementia)) due to lack of evidence supporting the existence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The decision also includes remand items for further review and evidence collection.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional treatment records and provide a medical opinion regarding the relationship between any diagnosed psychiatric disorders and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguity regarding the Veteran's location at the time of a helicopter crash on the U.S.S. Peleliu in 1987, which is claimed as a stressor for PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and obtain additional records in order to properly adjudicate his claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding secondary service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with additional evidence and an expert opinion is needed.

The Veteran's back disability, psychiatric disorder including PTSD, and skin disorder are all found to have their onset in service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontal disease is denied, and the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to support his claims of lumbar back disability secondary to leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for GERD is also granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), lumbar back disability secondary to leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbar strain, an acquired psychiatric disorder (previously claimed as PTSD), and obstructive sleep apnea. Service connection was denied for multiple myeloma.

The Veteran's service connection claim for restless leg syndrome is granted. The claims for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, fibromyalgia, and hypothyroidism post right hemithyroidectomy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation for the Veteran being permanently bedridden due to service-connected schizophrenia, effective from the beginning of the appeal until his death. Aid and attendance benefits were denied initially but are now granted.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating higher than 50 percent for service-connected schizophrenic reaction, entitlement to SMC based on a need for aid and attendance, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The remand is necessary to obtain retrospective VA medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia from March 2000 until his death in November 2009.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, neuropathies, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and memory loss for further development. The disability rating for left eye blindness is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, and increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, DJD of the bilateral knees, and bilateral foot calluses and left foot plantar wart were dismissed. The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but he was granted service connection for tinnitus. He also received a TDIU rating effective from December 10, 2014.