Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The Board found that new evidence submitted by the Veteran's mother was sufficient to reopen the claim, as it provided information about symptoms shortly after discharge from active duty. Service connection is also granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 15, 1993 for the award of service connection for schizophrenia. The Veteran's claim was pending and unadjudicated since March 1993.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, was granted. However, his claim for service connection for a lymph gland infection of the throat was denied.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 1, 2013 is denied. The effective date for the TDIU award is set at March 1, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder with anxiety, and MDD, as these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service personal assault.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for chronic diarrhea, obstructive voiding, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), abnormal gait, Dupuytren's contracture, and throat constriction due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or causation during military service.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete and inadequate opinions in the July 2016 VA medical examination reports. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) have been denied due to lack of a confirmed in-service stressor, and the evidence does not support a diagnosis or link between current symptoms and any verified stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for status post pterygium excision of bilateral eyes is denied. The application to reopen a claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, previously evaluated as major depression and anxiety claimed as nervous condition, is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is found to be the primary cause of his right upper extremity neuropathy and acquired psychiatric disorder, leading to a determination that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, finding that the evidence does not support a link to active service.,The Board also denied service connection for a congenital heart defect, noting that it is not considered a disease or injury for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD and depression, hypertension, and cold injury residuals are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right shoulder, right hand, back, right knee, left knee, and acquired psychiatric disorders due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear evidence.,Service connection will be further evaluated based on additional evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for clarification of the Veteran's periods of active duty. The claims for sleep apnea, neck disorder, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, bilateral hearing loss, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including limitation of flexion and extension, instability, and cartilage impairment, is rated at a maximum of 60 percent. The psychiatric disability has not been found to be related to service.

The Board denied the Appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, left shoulder disability, residuals from traumatic brain injury, nerve condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The decisions were based on a lack of new and material evidence to support reopening these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and attempting to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressor. The Veteran is also scheduled for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acquired psychiatric disability.