Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and has remanded the case for further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and verification of stressors. The claim for high triglycerides is denied as it is not a disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a sexual assault in service. The Court found that VA must attempt to locate relevant records of fellow servicemembers who may corroborate the reported assault.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to service-connected hypothyroidism, should be remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as depression, has been withdrawn.,Service connection for hepatitis C and liver disease was denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or secondary to another condition. New and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion and consider all relevant treatment records and statements of record.

The Veteran's attorney, J.M., waived her right to attorney fees generated from the grant of past-due benefits in the July 2013 rating decision. As a result, the Board finds that attorney fees are not warranted and grants the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives, requiring further development and readjudication of the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records. The issues include TBI, urinary condition, vertigo, GERD, skin disability of the arms, acquired psychiatric disability, ED, hypertension, migraines, prostate condition, and third digit of the right hand disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and disability rating for residuals of a stress fracture of the left proximal third tibia, as well as his TDIU claim due to jurisdictional issues.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with other psychiatric disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The effective date of this decision is not specified as it meets the schedular criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability was denied due to lack of evidence of disease or injury in service. The claim is not reopened as new and material evidence has not been received.,Service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder cannot be established as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, which requires a specific stressor event. Major depressive disorder was diagnosed but there is no link to service or an in-service stressor.,The Veteran's skin disability (presumably seborrheic dermatitis and actinic keratoses) is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.,There is no evidence of a bilateral shoulder disability at any time during the pendency of the claim. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has a current disability or that it is related to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not present in service and there is no link between diabetes and service, including exposure to herbicide agents.,The bilateral eye disability (presumably macular disease, cataracts, and presbyopia) is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. There is no evidence of a current disability or that it is related to service.,There is no evidence of a bilateral knee disability at any time during the pendency of the claim. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has a current disability or that it is related to service.,The lumbosacral strain was not present in service and there is no link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and schizophrenia has been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a diagnosis in accordance with DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the Board has ordered further development to determine the current severity of his gastrointestinal condition and hyperkeratosis of the feet.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, effective July 2, 2020. The claim for TDIU prior to December 18, 2013, is dismissed as moot due to the receipt of a 100% schedular disability rating for his psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee and psychiatric disorders due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (personality disorder) is denied.,Bilateral hearing loss is remanded to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his lumbar spine disabilities and any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD. Additionally, he needs to be examined to assess the current severity of his service-connected post-traumatic arthritis of the right long finger.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no in-service incurrence or nexus relating his claimed disability to his active military service.