Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, cystic kidney disease, keratoconjunctivitis, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression due to new and material evidence received since the last denial. However, the case is remanded as additional records are needed to determine if there was an in-service disease or injury that could support this claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, sciatica in the right lower extremity, and acquired psychiatric disorder (chronic adjustment disorder). The issues are being remanded to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and sleep apnea due to additional development being necessary.,Service connection cannot be established as there is no evidence linking current psychiatric or sleep conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of current evidence supporting her claims, and because there is uncertainty regarding whether she meets the criteria for PTSD. The Veteran was exposed to noise in service but did not have a diagnosis of tinnitus at any time during or after service. For the psychiatric claim, the Board found that the April 2014 VA examination report was internally inconsistent and remanded for clarification.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for kidney failure has been granted. The Board finds new and material evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the Veteran’s claim, which is raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's duodenal ulcer is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7305. The Board has determined that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are primarily continuous abdominal pain.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied a rating in excess of this. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and multiple myeloma were denied as there was no causal link to service, despite the Veteran having served in Vietnam. The claim for multiple myeloma was later found to be a different condition (myelodysplastic process).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's stressor allegation needs verification, and VA treatment records need to be obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and ADD. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral eye disorders, cardiovascular disorders, and lung hypertension due to in-service boxing injuries. Additional development is required as VA medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's lay statements and in-service head injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the onset of symptoms and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and an unspecified depressive disorder), and GERD have been granted. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded. An increased rating of 60 percent from March 13, 2020 has been granted for GERD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and groin and bilateral testicle pain disorder due to inconsistencies in the evidence of record, including a lack of documentation of service connection for these conditions. A VA examination is required to determine if there is a link between the claimed disorders and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's mild neurocognitive disorder and his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of a September 1978 VA Medical Certificate and History which includes a diagnosis of anxiety. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, is being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and adjudication due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.