Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of service treatment records and a need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied, but his claim for PTSD and the right shoulder disability were granted. The rating for the right shoulder condition is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and secondary service connection for a psychiatric disorder as a result of the Veteran's right knee disability. The diagnoses were not supported by verified stressors or medical evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining casualty reports from an appropriate service department.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The Veteran died by being struck by multiple vehicles, and his widow contends he committed suicide as a result of a psychiatric disorder that began in service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are also granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus and service connection for hypertension, a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease remains on appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains on appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from his current incarceration.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder with alcohol use disorder is granted service connection, and the gastrointestinal disorder is remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and dyssomnia or insomnia. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no relationship between the Veteran’s sleep disorders and his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for GERD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to unemployability.

The Veteran's application to reopen his hearing loss disability claim has been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely posttraumatic stress disorder), and coronary artery disease.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, low back, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), bilateral hip disability, and bilateral leg disabilities. However, as these conditions are not established by competent medical evidence, service connection itself is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for PTSD due to MST. The Board has also found that the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his other diagnosed psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service. His lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his military service. His acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted reconsideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee condition and ankle conditions, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability. The claims are remanded due to new evidence received after the initial denial.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's functional impairments caused by his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim is also being considered in conjunction with the psychiatric disability rating issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's skin and psychiatric disabilities are proximately due to or the result of VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.