Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied. The effective date cannot be earlier than June 4, 2016 as that was when VA first received a communication indicating intent to reopen the claim following the final January 2010 rating decision.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for mental disorders, psychosis, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding preexisting conditions. The Veteran's claims for service connection are now pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis and the Board finds that his symptoms are not related to military service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied due to lack of a nexus between the claimed condition and a service-connected disability. The Veteran's bruxism claim is also denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or relationship to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability were reopened. However, the Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for acquired psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, and radiculopathy in the right lower extremity was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder with opioid dependence, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as his diagnoses were not related to his active duty service.,The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are not due to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the appellant's mental state at the time of misconduct leading to her discharge. The issues include determining if she was insane under VA regulations and whether her character of discharge is not a bar to VA benefits.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and schizoaffective disorder, finding that the Veteran did not meet the current disability requirement for PTSD due to lack of a confirmed diagnosis. The Board also found insufficient evidence linking the acquired psychiatric disorder to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for various issues related to service connection and effective dates due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal, respiratory, psychiatric, hearing loss and tinnitus, lumbar spine, shoulder, hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability was incurred during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disorder, and sleep disorder due to incomplete medical records and failure to substantially comply with prior remand instructions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, previously claimed as PTSD and depression, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by a stressor during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right foot, knee, back, stomach, and psychiatric conditions. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have not been fully addressed due to a failure to obtain necessary examinations. The case is being remanded to schedule these examinations.