Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD as due to MST, is remanded. The Board finds that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines from May 17, 2017 to May 15, 2018 was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disorders, right and left hip disorders, shoulders disorder, cervical and neck disorder, anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, osteoarthritis of lumbar joints, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and hypertension due to outstanding medical records not being obtained.

The Board denied service connection for left eye glaucoma and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder) due to the lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating higher than 70% for his service-connected psychiatric disability is denied. The Board also found that the Veteran was entitled to TDIU prior to May 12, 2011.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as non-compensable from June 22, 2015 to April 22, 2018. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for this period.,For the period after April 22, 2018, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has not been rated higher than 40 percent.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted as the Veteran's lay testimony supports a finding that his tinnitus began during service and has continued to present day.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep condition/acquired psychiatric disorder, sterility, enlarged prostate, respiratory disability, hypertension, left or right hernia disability, and vision/eye disability has been dismissed as the full benefit sought on appeal was granted in an August 2020 rating decision.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for residuals of TBI and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) due to lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service events.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service sexual assault and harassment, as well as her reduction in rank following the incident. The VA is instructed to obtain service records of relevant personnel and provide a comprehensive mental health examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of low back disability, asthma, neck disability, eye disability (including amblyopia, blurred vision, and vision loss), diabetes, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, personality disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)), and left ankle disability have been remanded. The appeals for service connection on the issues of chest disability, residuals of a head injury, and sleep disorder were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service. The claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance was also denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria of needing regular aid and assistance.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to the need for VA examinations to determine if his disabilities are related to an injury during active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD with anxiety disorder, is remanded.

The Veteran's GERD was not incurred in service and is denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disability, and bilateral leg peripheral vascular disease are granted as secondary to hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including panic attacks, as there was no evidence of such condition during or after service and it is not related to service.,Service connection for type II diabetes was also denied due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa, Japan.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic headache disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to inadequate opinions in prior examinations. The claims are now pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for vertigo, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a traumatic brain injury, and a cervical spine disorder due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as the claim for TDIU. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's right eye condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed condition.,The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed condition, including whether it was caused by in-service acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's lung condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed condition, including exposure to herbicides, asbestos, or jet fuel fumes during service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed condition, including exposure to herbicides, asbestos, or jet fuel fumes during service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD is remanded for additional development to verify in-service stressors.