Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis or link to service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, is denied due to lack of credible evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's claim for a respiratory condition is denied without sufficient evidence.,Right knee osteoarthritis is also denied.

The Veteran's right hand fifth digit fracture residuals are rated as noncompensable, and his right foot cold injury residuals are rated at 20 percent.,Service connection for left foot pes planus is denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and unspecified trauma disorder) is granted.,The Veteran's left foot pes planus was not increased in severity during service, and the Board finds that his acquired psychiatric disorder is causally related to military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active military service and the claim for service connection is granted. The TDIU, eczema rating, knee conditions, and foot conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's lower back disability is granted as service connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression, is denied.,Bilateral lower extremity neurogenic claudication is granted as secondary to the now service-connected lower back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the hepatitis C claim, and his PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), low back condition, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorder, and cirrhosis of the liver claims were all denied due to lack of a causal relationship between service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled examinations. The issues of service connection and increased ratings remain on appeal, as does the issue of an effective date for TDIU prior to January 29, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding whether any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death, specifically focusing on diabetes, heart disorders related to presumed herbicide exposure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to outstanding records needing to be obtained and examinations being conducted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for liver disorder, hypertension, DM, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and COPD were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link to service. The appeals for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's TBI and assault in service are considered.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia, finding that the condition initially manifested within one year of separation from active duty.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. Service connection for PTSD and tinnitus are also granted. The claim for service connection for a back condition and bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability. Additional development is required, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion by a qualified examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cases of back and neck disabilities, TBI, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his respiratory disability and acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder (PDD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The decision is based on the Veteran's various diagnoses of a psychiatric disorder during and after service.

The Veteran's schizophrenia (previously PTSD) is granted a 100% evaluation prior to January 9, 2019. The Veteran’s syncope is granted a 10% evaluation. Service connection for TBI and TDIU prior to May 4, 2011 are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, a low back condition, and a respiratory condition including shortness of breath have been granted. The acquired psychiatric disability claim remains denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, right heel disability, and irritable bowel syndrome have been granted service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder is related to in-service stressors and secondary to service-connected disabilities. The right heel disability does not meet the criteria for a current disability. The irritable bowel syndrome began during active service.