Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient diagnostic information during service and lack of objective measures. The Veteran's fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are being reviewed again, as well as her acquired psychiatric disability (including unspecified anxiety disorder and insomnia disorder) and respiratory condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and unverified stressors. The Veteran's right knee conditions, acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea/sleep disorder, and acid reflux/hiatal hernia are all being reviewed again.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service complaints and symptoms. The Board also denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, concluding that there was no evidence of a superimposed psychiatric disability during service.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as secondary to an acquired psychiatric condition due to insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and the temporary total evaluation following a liver transplant are both remanded.

The Veteran's application for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance of another was denied due to the absence of a need for regular aid and assistance from others.,The Veteran's application for special monthly compensation based on being housebound prior to October 18, 2019 was also denied as he did not meet the criteria for substantial confinement.

The claim to reopen the service connection for depression is granted. The claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder is remanded due to need for medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disability, and pes planus due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety are granted service connection, as is his tachycardia secondary to the adjustment disorder. However, hypertension is denied as secondary to the adjustment disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and chronic fatigue syndrome. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B, left knee disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the hepatitis claim. The left knee and back disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of a current diagnosis or medical etiology.

The Board denied service connection for lung disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dental disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's lung disorder was not related to service or asbestos exposure. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have started within one year of separation from service. Service connection was also denied for his dental condition due to lack of evidence of a compensable disability. Finally, the Board found that service connection could not be granted for PTSD as it is presumed related to active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), a psychiatric disability, and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete examinations and lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's assertions.,Additional development is needed for the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability. The Board finds that an opinion regarding whether the Veteran was disciplined as a result of a fight while in-service and sent to the brig for 45 days as a result is necessary, as well as obtaining all relevant VA and private treatment records.,The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete examinations and lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's assertions. The issue of TDIU must be deferred until after the outcome of the claims for service connection.,The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance and housebound benefits. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the claims for service connection.,The Board has remanded the claim for SMC and TDIU. These derivative claims must be deferred until after the outcome of the claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with his sleep disorder, headaches, and psychiatric condition. The appeals are intertwined as they all relate to conditions that were not definitively resolved during previous reviews.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations related to various conditions, including left ear hearing loss disability, prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DDD)/degenerative disc disease (DDD), and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision is due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining treatment records and providing examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is reopened, but the issues of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and requires further development for the cases of bilateral foot disability, right big toe disability, and psychiatric disability.