Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as well as his claims of service connection for arthritis, sinusitis, a cervical spine disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) are denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, sinusitis, a cervical spine disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) are remanded.

The Veteran's son, J.T., is seeking recognition as the 'helpless child' based on his permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching age 18. The Board has ordered a remand due to insufficient evidence regarding J.T.'s ability to support himself before turning 18.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete examinations and unclear symptomology.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for voiding dysfunction as a residual of prostate cancer, but granted a rating in excess of 30 percent for impairment of sphincter control as a residual of prostate cancer.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities: psychiatric, left knee, lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The reasons for this are that the Veteran testified about increased severity since recent VA examinations and private evaluations, and requested additional VA examinations.

The Board has found that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder is denied. Service connection for hypertension, to include secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, is also denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of larynx cancer must be remanded due to the possibility of increased severity since the last examination in 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, schizophrenia, and/or bipolar disorder, are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further development, including an updated character of discharge determination, obtaining inpatient or clinical records from San Diego Naval Medical Center, and obtaining private medical treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depression due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and low back disorder are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of such disorders during active service or within one year post-service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence was received such that the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder should have been readjudicated. The case is remanded to schedule a VA examination to determine if any current mental health disability is caused by or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left foot disability is granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), and stimulant use disorder are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for seborrheic dermatitis and psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The case is remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding radiation exposure during service and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives and for obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations and for clarification of diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate development in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the aggravation of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further examination is needed. Pension benefits are granted as of April [REDACTED], 2018.