Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5. The Board found that there was no in-service stressor corroborated to establish a nexus between the diagnosed conditions and service.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied because the Veteran's first reported symptoms were decades after service, and there was no evidence of noise exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle condition and remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for systemic joint disability, cervical spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) due to lack of verification of stressor events.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a bilateral eye disorder, psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and multiple joint disorders. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations, obtain additional records, clarify the nature of the Veteran's claims, and attempt to corroborate in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted, and the case is remanded to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder have been reopened, but the merits of these claims are still pending. The Board has ordered new VA examinations to address the Veteran's assertions regarding in-service noise exposure and effectiveness of available hearing protection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate statement of reasons or bases in the September 2017 decision, and because additional development is necessary to comply with the terms of the Court's June 2019 Memorandum Decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision is pending further review and examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's mental health conditions are being evaluated, with particular attention to their relationship to his hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than major depressive disorder, is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids from November 26, 2008, to April 20, 2010, is granted with a 10% rating. From April 21, 2010, to April 8, 2013, and since June 1, 2013, the Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right ankle disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be reviewed again with additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, left upper extremity cold injury/frostbite residuals, right upper extremity cold injury/frostbite residuals, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and sleep disorder), initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for right foot-right big toe injury residuals, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and bilateral knee disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 50 percent for the entire rating period from May 16, 2013. The Veteran has also been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed. The Veteran's chest pain and psychiatric disorder are being reviewed, with a focus on whether alcohol abuse during service was related to an undiagnosed mental condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection. Service connection for left and right knee disabilities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of an increased evaluation for service-connected low back disability and for entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, and anxiety. The Veteran's low back disability is being evaluated again due to inadequate examination findings, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is being evaluated again as it may be related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 10%, the left hip disability at 10%, and all other conditions were not granted service connection.