Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence. The appeals are granted in part, with some issues remaining pending further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided. The cervical spine disability claim requires clarification of whether it is at least as likely as not related to service, while the psychiatric disorder claim needs a determination on aggravation by service-connected lumbar degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was granted, but his claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied.

The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, stomach condition, hypothyroidism, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been granted. However, the claims for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD and hypertension secondary to service-connected conditions remain pending and are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim is granted.,Service connection for a TBI, brain disease (claimed as white matter disease), and chronic fatigue are denied.

The Veteran's kidney removal is granted as service-connected, and the claim for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the remand directives and has ordered further development for service connection claims, including obtaining missing active duty mental health clinic records and VA treatment records. The psychiatric disorder claim is also being remanded to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thyroid disorder, cardiac disability, arrhythmia, basal cell carcinoma, and sleep apnea have all been granted. The lumbar spine disability claim has not been resolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, and neurological disabilities in his upper and lower extremities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea. The claims are also remanded to determine if erectile dysfunction is related to these conditions.

Service connection for PTSD and memory loss (claimed as dysthymic disorder) is denied.,Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, including dysthymic disorder and depression, and residuals of a TBI are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically depression. The case will be returned for further development and a new medical opinion.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, is granted.,Service connection for a left knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was denied. The Board found that there is no credible supporting evidence of a personal assault during service.,A rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with facet arthritis from August 21, 2015 to October 28, 2020 was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, a back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The rating for the residuals of broken nose is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cardiological disability other than hypertension, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disability, stomach disability, eye disability, kidney disability, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and arthritis. The Veteran is advised to provide updated medical records and attend a new hearing if desired.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing service medical records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's reported symptoms during and since service are being evaluated, as well as any aggravation of his disabilities.

The Veteran's heart disability, gout, and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.,Service connection was not established for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection for a low back disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The case is being remanded to reconstruct the record and upload all documentation related to the appeal of unauthorized expenses incurred for care at E.W. Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, Michigan from February 10, 2010 to February 16, 2010. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also being referred for adjudication.