Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied. The heart condition issue is remanded due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is now REMANDED to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA mental disorders examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a lumbar spine condition, and a right foot condition due to secondary service-connected conditions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, which is believed to be due to military sexual trauma during her active duty service. The decision also acknowledges that she was exposed to harassment and assault during this period.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU are remanded due to discrepancies in the evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for increased ratings for left knee patella femoral syndrome and chronic left ankle sprain have been denied. The Veteran was found not to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or social phobia at any time during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, major depressive disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected acid reflux. His hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination, particularly regarding his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of his periods of active duty with the Minnesota Army Reserve National Guard and lack of associated service treatment records.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a respiratory disability (COPD). Service connection is now established for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination for PTSD and verifying an in-service stressor. The cardiac disability claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the psychiatric disability claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and various musculoskeletal conditions. The effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was set at September 12, 2017. All other issues have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to service. Additional evidence will be considered.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability due to his failure to cooperate and report for a necessary VA examination. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder) was also denied because there is no evidence of current diagnoses within the appellate period.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and denied service connection for type 2 diabetes, COPD, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The acquired psychiatric disability is linked to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's right rotator cuff injury, limitation of motion of the right knee, and left ankle sprain are all granted service connection. The psychiatric disorder is denied service connection, but the claim for a left shoulder condition is not addressed as it lacks current disability evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back condition, and a left leg disability (sciatica). The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding these conditions.