Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, residuals of TBI, right eye disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). The claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headache disability and acquired psychiatric disorder characterized as MDD and OCD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to her active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include schizophrenia, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, respiratory disability (chronic bronchitis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infection of the tonsils, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fatigue, hypertension, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, shin splints, hemorrhoids, retracted testicle, and low sex drive have been granted. Effective dates prior to February 13, 2018 for bilateral foot bunions and tinnitus are denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding reopening service connection claims for lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The issues of service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea (as secondary to a psychiatric disability), and prostate cancer are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for groin scars was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.,A 100 percent rating for psychiatric disorder is granted, with total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as suicidal ideation, intermittent hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, and inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to unclear employment information from his last employer. The AOJ needs to contact the Veteran’s former employer to clarify his employment dates, specifically in 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, finding that there was no current diagnosis of a mental health condition under DSM-V criteria. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a personality disorder due to in-service aggravation.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of such disorders.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to a service-connected disability due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran. Additional medical comment is needed concerning whether some medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities aggravate his sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records and to ensure proper notification of their unavailability. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased ratings for back disability and left forearm disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's prior VA examination is inadequate, and new medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's headache disorder is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's mantel cell leukemia is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder) is granted as service-connected on a secondary basis to his service-connected mantel cell leukemia.,Service connection for PTSD is denied.

Service connection for back pain and chest pain/sinus ventricular tachycardia was denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection for psychiatric disability (schizophrenia) was granted based on new evidence indicating a link to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease, tension headaches secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD/MDD) due to insufficient development or lack of nexus opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for chloracne, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), left hand arthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), enlarged prostate, headaches, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition preexisted service and was not aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's seizure disorder and head injury residuals. The claim for service connection will be reconsidered after a new examination is conducted.