Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include bilateral eye disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorders (likely including depression and anxiety), and right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU prior to January 10, 2012. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his current psychiatric condition began during service or was related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The evidence now shows that it is at least as likely as not that his current condition had its onset in-service and thus grants the claim.

The Board has reopened the issue of whether the appellant's character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits due to dishonorable conditions resulting from willful and persistent misconduct. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining private mental health treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should receive a VA right hip examination to determine the current symptoms, level of severity, and functional impairment associated with his right hip disability. The Veteran also needs a VA mental health examination to determine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that any current psychiatric disability had its onset during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for several claims, including service connection and rating issues related to the Veteran's right ilioinguinal neuralgia, osteoarthritis, GERD, acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and sleep apnea. The effective dates of any potential awards are also in question.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Veteran's claims for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or because of being permanently housebound were granted from September 10, 2019. Increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis were not granted. An initial 20 percent disability rating for right leg limitation of extension was granted with an effective date of December 20, 2017. Earlier effective dates for the grant of a 20 percent evaluation for both right and left leg limitations of extension were also granted.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and service connection for left ear hearing loss, due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current depressive symptoms began following his retirement and subsequent isolation. The symptomology attributed to both conditions overlapped significantly.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to incomplete information regarding the appellant's service connection claims, particularly concerning his claimed head injuries and psychiatric disorders. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been reopened. The Veteran's current mental health conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen her claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a low back disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,New evidence, including VA medical center records and private psychiatric opinions, was submitted since the last final denial in August 2009.

The appeal pertaining to the claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis B is dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for chronic asthma, right knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The appeal for increased ratings in several other conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and varicose veins, is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression. The rating for right trapezius muscle disability remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and orthostatic hypotension, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional psychiatric disability and headaches as a result of VA medical treatment was denied because there is no evidence of an additional disability resulting from the VA treatment.

The Board has dismissed the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in July 2020, indicating satisfaction with the decision.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for PTSD is dismissed because he already has been awarded service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability that encompasses the manifestations of his claimed PTSD.