Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current heart condition related to service.,For the right shoulder disability, an initial rating of 30% was granted prior to August 8, 2019, and this rating is maintained with limitation on higher ratings.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability. Service connection for OSA and PTSD have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish a link between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide VA examinations.

The Veteran's kidney stones were granted a 20 percent evaluation prior to June 4, 2019.,An evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's kidney stones from June 4, 2019 was denied.,The claim for reopening service connection for a neuropsychiatric condition (claimed as nervous disorder, anxiety, depression and PTSD) has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, Schizophrenia, or Chronic Adjustment Disorder due to lack of a valid diagnosis and because his psychiatric conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Veteran's claim for chronic residuals of a head injury is denied as there is no credible evidence showing the condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as they are at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted service connection, but his personality disorder and other psychiatric disorders are denied. The ratings for his peripheral neuropathy remain at 20 percent, and the appeal for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), fibromyalgia (neck, back, buttocks pain), and herpes. The Veteran is entitled to a VA addendum opinion on each issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted the request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The claims related to sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional development regarding herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and whether any diagnosed psychiatric disability arose in service or is otherwise related to service. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain private treatment records for the Veteran's psychiatric disability, as these records are critical to determining whether his service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to March 24, 2017. The claim is being remanded again due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for a VA examination to determine if he has a current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and, if so, its etiology. The increased rating claim for his left inguinal hernia and hydrocelectomy residuals remains pending.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including those for DMII and its secondary conditions. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is presumed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any other diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to service and to reconcile conflicting evidence regarding the nature of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating increase for his right knee condition and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia, is related to military sexual trauma (MST) during service. The Board finds that the evidence supports this claim.