Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and a need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia. The VA is requested to provide a new opinion by an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information from VA examiners and new evidence submitted by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia. The cases of back and left knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include lumbar spine disability, PTSD, rhinitis/sinusitis, a nasal disorder other than rhinitis/sinusitis, and OSA.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD or any other diagnosed acquired psychiatric diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back condition and acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional development being required, including obtaining treatment records and attempting to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not related to any in-service injury or disease. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his symptoms began during service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his psychiatric disability and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The application to reopen the PTSD claim was denied on the merits, and the other claims were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for trigeminal neuralgia and psychiatric disability, including PTSD, has been reopened. The psychiatric disability is granted as related to active service.,The Board also found that the Veteran’s migraines are manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of one in two months over the last several months.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence received after his previous denial, and for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been dismissed. Service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as pseudofolliculitis barbae, have not been established.

The Board has granted service connection for loss of balance secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder. The claim for service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized as bipolar disorder is referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were rated as noncompensable prior to November 6, 2019, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II were also not found to be related to service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was denied as it did not have its onset during service or is otherwise unrelated to his service. His hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II were also not found to be related to service. The Board acknowledged the Veteran's contention that his obstructive sleep apnea may be related to in-service snoring but found this insufficient evidence for a direct service connection.