Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. The Board finds that an additional VA examination is needed to ascertain the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, and a heart disorder are remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide exposure and possible verification of in-service events. The Board also finds that VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current disorders.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its relationship to his military service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and low back disorder are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine their nature and etiology.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), sleep apnea, and headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and a left ankle disability, finding that there is no current diagnosis of either condition and that any potential link to military service is not supported by the evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, depression, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and tinnitus. The decision found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and potential service connection.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding treatment records not currently associated with the claims file, and therefore, the issues of service connection for bowel disability, neck disability, spinal curvature, shoulder disability, head tremors, acquired psychiatric disorder, flat feet, and right pinky finger disability are being remanded to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues and requests for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability determination records. The Veteran is also requested to provide authorization for her mental health provider's records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient VA treatment records, inadequate examination reports, and issues raised by the July 2014 VA examiner.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection was granted or denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than post-traumatic stress disorder, including depression and anxiety; sleep apnea; and headaches. The diagnoses are based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues being inextricably intertwined and insufficient evidence. The case must be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder and any personality disorder. The Veteran's OSA is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease. Other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and schizophrenia, was granted. Service connection for the anxiety disorder is also granted. The claims for upper respiratory disorders and thyroid disorder are denied. A rating in excess of 20 percent for duodenal ulcer and low back disability is denied. Left lower extremity radiculopathy ratings prior to March 30, 2015 and after that date are also denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support service connection for a lumbar spine disability or psychiatric disability (PTSD). The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, GERD, colon disorders, headache disorder, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), eye disorders, low back and neck disorders, erectile dysfunction, right and left carpal tunnel syndromes. The decision also denied reopening of the claim for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, which includes panic disorder, agoraphobia, and paranoid schizophrenia. The decision finds that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability during the pendency of the claim. The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, and there are no manifestations not contemplated by this rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded as the evidence does not meet the requirements to establish service connection based on fear of hostile military activity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral calcaneal spurs due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of range of motion testing.