Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), and gynecological disability (miscarriage residuals).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for disability manifested by bilateral foot and toe pain is denied. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted, but a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bipolar disorder remains denied. Service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy is granted with an increased rating to 70 percent. A TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder with anxious features, finding that it began in service and continued uninterrupted since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to hCG in blood, and therefore service connection is denied. The cases of residuals of stroke, acquired psychiatric disorder, speech disorder, left arm disorder, burn scar of the left arm, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's left knee disability, right knee disability, and low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and right ear hearing loss due to potential issues with the VA examination report.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a pain disorder (fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome), an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, insomnia, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood), and a skin disorder (idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis).,There is no evidence to support the presence of these conditions during service or due to any in-service event. The VA examiners concluded that none of the diagnoses met the criteria for PTSD, and the appellant's symptoms were not consistent with other diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because his timely substantive appeal was not received within 60 days of the September 2, 2014 Statement of the Case. The Board found that the VA did not receive a request for an extension and that the Veteran's Form 9 was untimely.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of sufficient rationale in the May 2015 VA nexus opinion. The case will be further developed before being readjudicated.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a headache disability, and sleep apnea due to procedural issues. The rating of lumbar spondylosis remains at 20 percent prior to January 18, 2018, and 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing documents and a need for an assessment of the appellant's sanity at discharge. The issues are whether the character of the appellant’s discharge from service constitutes a bar to VA benefits, and whether he is entitled to service connection for schizophrenia, paranoid type.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a higher rating for premature ventricular contractions (PVC) was denied. The Board found no current acquired psychiatric disability, thus denying the claim. For PVCs, the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (mood disorder) and assigned a 70% rating effective June 2, 2011. The Veteran's attorney is entitled to 20% of the past-due benefits awarded in the March 2016 rating decision.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The appeals for hepatitis, schizophrenia (reopened), chronic liver disorder, and fatigue have been dismissed due to the appellant's death.,Due to the death of the appellant, the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with contested claims procedures and a possible response from the Veteran. The issue of additional attorney fees will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and torso due to a motor vehicle accident, which is not linked to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence that the Veteran had a heart disorder or an aortic aneurysm prior to or as a cause of his death.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent effective September 10, 2012. The Board has also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and need for clarification on medical issues. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder, are being evaluated in relation to his service.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened and remanded. The claims for TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status are also remanded.