Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and bladder cancer with residuals are all granted. The Veteran's PTSD is linked to his service due to in-service stressors. His bilateral hearing loss is also related to his service. However, the claim for bladder cancer was remanded as new evidence did not establish a link between exposure to herbicides and the condition.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD, also claimed as paranoid schizophrenia and depression with nightmares is granted. The appeal regarding the increased rating for lumbar strain is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, effective October 31, 2003. A TDIU rating and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits are granted from the same effective date.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and a 70 percent rating for his service-connected mental disorders (including depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and other service-connected mental disorders) is granted effective as of May 4, 2007.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and a depressive disorder), right knee disability, and left knee disability have been granted. The claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities are still pending.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) as there is no current diagnosis of such condition proximate to or during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence being added to the claims file, and the Veteran was not given a chance to respond. The case will be reviewed by the AOJ with this additional information.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The appeal to increase this rating is denied.,New evidence has been added to the record that suggests a possible positive nexus between the Veteran’s stomach disability and her military service. As such, the claim for service connection of the stomach disability is granted as new and material evidence has been received.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities (PTSD and other specified depressive disorder and other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder) are reopened due to new evidence that suggests a possible positive nexus between her current diagnoses and military service. The claim for service connection of the acquired psychiatric disability is granted as new and material evidence has been received.,The Veteran's right knee disability is remanded for further examination and rating consideration.,The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for further examination and rating consideration.,The Veteran's stomach disability (likely GERD) is remanded to determine if it is related to service, specifically the November 1981 diagnosis of mild gastroenteritis or a report of coughing up blood during service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are remanded for further examination and rating consideration. The examiner must also consider whether her PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault.,The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for further examination and rating consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, bilateral upper and lower extremity polyneuropathy, and cataracts are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his in-service exposure to herbicides. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded as new evidence indicates a current diagnosis of PTSD and anxiety disorder.,The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the newly received evidence, including possible in-service exposure to herbicides at Takhli RTAFB.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his cardiac arrest was not related to his service-connected conditions or treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's wife has stated that he refuses to stay home alone due to extreme fear, causing her financial hardship. The Board is remanding the case for a new VA examination to assess whether the Veteran needs regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional information and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, right shoulder pain, and back pain due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and migraine headaches due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is denied for ratings greater than 30 percent prior to November 20, 2018 and greater than 50 percent from April 1, 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, diabetes, cataracts, erectile dysfunction, residuals of stroke, and hypertension. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been granted service connection. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back degenerative spondylosis, right shoulder sprain, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) have been granted. The effective date is July 5, 2006.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder is granted. The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities are remanded for further examination and rating.