Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, has been dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no clear link between the Appellant's symptoms and his military experiences. The Board also found that the Appellant did not meet the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to unclear pre-service status of his psychiatric disorders and sleep disorder, as well as the need for additional development regarding SSA disability benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims of hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), and GERD.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a finding that his condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted with a 70% rating for the period prior to May 22, 2014, and a 100% rating thereafter. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted with a 70% rating. The Veteran's CAD is also granted with a 70% rating.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. Service connection was denied for type II diabetes mellitus and colon cancer as they were not shown to be related to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, a bilateral eye disability (cataracts), edema of abdomen, legs, and feet, and a liver disability, all claimed as resulting from herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran served in Thailand during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his SSA income. The Board will verify the amount of his SSA benefits and request that he submit EVR and Medical Expense Reports for the specified period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left wrist disability, right wrist disability, migraine headaches, psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and night terrors), degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as an upper and lower back condition), left leg disability (claimed as restless leg syndrome), and bilateral foot disability (claimed as flatfeet).,The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 100 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, effective August 7, 2007. The TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran being rated at 100 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a neurological disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not begin during service or are otherwise related to in-service events. The Board noted that there was no evidence of symptoms or diagnoses related to these conditions during active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address specific evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, tinnitus, left wrist disability, and hearing loss in the left ear, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and his service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his symptoms started during service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his hearing loss and hepatitis C claims. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, but the issue of increased rating for hepatitis C is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability was restored to a 20 percent rating from November 1, 2020. The Board found the reduction of his left knee disability rating to 10 percent in September 2017 was not properly made and granted restoration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression), and a lumbar spine disability. The remand includes obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners regarding the etiology of these conditions.