Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip arthritis has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disturbance disorder, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD or a sleep disturbance disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is denied as not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an increased rating for his left shoulder condition. The claim for psychiatric disorders was not addressed in detail, but it is noted that only depression was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically adjustment disorder, but denied service connection for PTSD. The adjustment disorder is related to the Veteran's in-service experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received after the initial decision.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various psychiatric conditions, diabetes, a right knee condition, and prostate cancer. The remand requires further development of evidence regarding the Veteran’s claimed stressors for PTSD, verification of his in-service exposure to carbon tetrachloride/toxic chemicals for prostate cancer, and an addendum opinion from the March 2019 VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, prostate cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for BPH, HTN, and an acquired psychiatric condition are granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left hand scar and psychiatric disorders. The appellant will be asked to provide additional details about her husband's in-service injuries and medical records will be sought.

The appeal to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right thumb disability is granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to provide additional information about his claimed stressors, undergo VA examinations, and obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for left hip osteoarthritis was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for low back disability was remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder, and hearing loss due to insufficient evidence on etiology.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded as there are no audiological examination results to determine if he currently has a disability.,The Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, headaches (secondary to cervical spine disability), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to cervical spine disability) are being remanded due to the need for VA examination to assess current conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 25, 2011 for the award of service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is remanded due to new and material evidence having been received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is reopened based on additional VA treatment records showing X-ray evidence of degenerative changes and a diagnosis of rotator cuff disorder, which may be related to the in-service injury. The claim for service connection for a left hand disorder (secondary to a left shoulder disorder) and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, tobacco use disorder, and alcohol use disorder, which are associated with his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance abuse, and insomnia), residuals of a burn to the face, and bilateral impaired vision are all granted.