Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hip, back, and neurological disabilities, as well as his acquired psychiatric and insomnia conditions. These issues are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran’s representative prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and medical opinions regarding service connection, rating, and TDIU. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, diabetes, and lumbar spine disability are being reviewed.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea are granted service connection due to exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to asbestos-related pleural disease due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claim. The appeals for service connection for GERD and a respiratory condition, including asbestos-related pleural disease, are remanded.

The Veteran's daughter, J.C., was permanently incapable of self-support due to multiple mental and physical disorders since childhood. The Board granted the recognition of J.C. as a helpless child.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted an initial rating of 10 percent. Service connection for a skin disorder and PTSD have been granted, but the matter of service connection for a colorectal condition is remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The neck condition is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease and no current symptoms.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is found to have first manifested during his active duty military service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability with a rating of 70 percent effective April 12, 2018. The Veteran is entitled to additional attorney fees of $1,583.40 based on the past-due benefits awarded in the February 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection as it was aggravated by his military service. The claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression), and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) due to the lack of a current diagnosis related to verified in-service stressors, as per DSM-5 criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran is also still seeking a rating in excess of 20 percent for her left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, and psychiatric disorder due to issues with evidence development and need for additional opinions. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is claimed as aggravated by his second period of service.

The Veteran's accrued benefits are granted for the remaining unreimbursed amount of $3,643.50 due to his burial and funeral expenses.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and TDIU to obtain an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The case is now pending again with additional development required.