Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his right ankle symptoms and the need for a VA medical opinion on whether his current right ankle disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease was denied as the severity level of his condition did not meet the criteria for a total (100%) rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder prior to May 15, 2017, was denied because there is no evidence showing that the Veteran expressed belief in entitlement or filed an informal claim before this date. The effective date of service connection has been granted from May 2017.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension was remanded as the medical records did not meet the regulatory definition of hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient examination findings and inadequate rationale in the previous VA opinions.

The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks is granted. The claims for service connection for a low back disorder and related leg disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's headaches have not been productive of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months, thus denying a compensable rating.,There is no evidence to support a diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability prior to June 1, 2012. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to incomplete adjudication.

The Veteran's renal disease is granted as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease. The claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss and the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are both remanded.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and concluding that any current psychiatric conditions are not related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of uterine fibroids, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence or medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including examinations and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC), to address issues related to service connection and increased ratings for cold injury residuals. The TDIU issue is also being referred to the Director for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues regarding tinnitus, hearing loss, and PTSD has been dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that he does not have a current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The low back disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her service connection claims and a separate rating for bladder impairment.

The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety and depression is dismissed. Service connection for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and back disorder are denied. Service connection for dermatophytosis of the left foot and right foot is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral hearing loss. The decision on service connection for these conditions is pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete development. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is denied, and his other claims are remanded.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as it has been granted and rendered moot. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and migraines due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis was not related to his military service or due to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of such a disability during the appeal period.