Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left hand disability, hypertension, and psychiatric disability are not service-connected.,Service connection for a back disability is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as the condition is subsumed in the 100 percent schedular rating for Meniere’s Disease.,For the period prior to June 17, 2019, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. However, these symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records from the Veteran's initial period of inactive duty training (IDT). The AOJ is instructed to make another inquiry for any records related to this period, specifically June 1988 to July 1988, and add a formal finding of unavailability if no additional records are found.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for skin disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety) is granted. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of prostate cancer is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, as secondary to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The case is being returned due to deficiencies in obtaining relevant medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired mental disorder and for an increased rating for epididymitis, left testicle. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had onset during active service or were otherwise causally connected to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, was granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain from May 22, 2014 was also granted, with the maximum allowable rating (20%) being assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder (OTSD), recurrent major depressive disorder with anxious distress (MDD), and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military stress in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence submitted since the last decision. The AOJ must review this additional evidence and readjudicate the cases.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations or evidence.,Specifically, the Veteran needs VA examinations for sinus issues, prostate issues, sleep apnea, acid reflux condition, acquired psychiatric disability (depression and/or anxiety), and gout.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include right knee, left knee, left ankle, psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD), and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a higher rating for tinnitus, left upper extremity radicular neuropathy, vascular headaches, epididymitis and testicle cyst condition, external hemorrhoids, and left arm scars. Service connection was granted for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep disturbance due to service-connected tinnitus as they are related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability. The claims for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, bilateral foot pain, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board dismissed them due to lack of specific error in determination.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is equipoise of evidence regarding whether his current condition is causally related to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or a link between current symptoms and service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depression. The Veteran's right shoulder scar is rated at 10% under Diagnostic Code 7804. Further examination and development are needed to address the issues related to his left knee disability, effective date of service connection, and TDIU.

The Veteran's GERD with diverticulitis is granted an initial 30 percent disability rating. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending and remanded.