Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, which included claims for service connection and increased ratings. The Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Board denied service connection for a prostate disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including anxiety and depression), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.,Service connection was not granted as the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service treatment records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric disability is being reviewed for possible connection to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and schizophrenia had their onset during or are otherwise etiologically related to his service, granting entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and degenerative arthritis of multiple joints. The Veteran's claims are not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted as secondary to his psychiatric impairment (adjustment disorder). The other conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but not for insomnia, a left upper extremity neurological disorder, a right upper extremity neurological disorder, or somatic symptom disorder. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to a need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as major depressive disorder with anxious distress and agoraphobia, is rated at 70 percent effective from April 2019. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating effective January 6, 2016.,An earlier effective date for the TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant medical records from his Army Reserve service and Social Security Administration records.

Prior to July 29, 2020, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was rated at 30 percent and later increased to 50 percent.,The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 50 percent rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, prostate gland condition, and kidney cancer and residuals are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicides in Korea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for psychiatric, headache, and sleep disability service connection due to incomplete examinations and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran needs to be rescheduled for VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, finding that the Veteran's early prodromal symptoms manifested within one year of separation from active service. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for gynecological conditions, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and scoliosis due to new evidence received after a previous denial. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to assess her gynecological conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's schizophrenia, which may be related to service. The exact dates and character of the Veteran's service in the Marine Corps Reserves need to be clarified.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy is dismissed as the benefit has already been granted in an October 2019 rating decision. The remaining claims of service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy, a left shoulder disability, and a psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding her claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a separate psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The Board also found that there is no evidence of a respiratory condition other than sleep apnea during the appellate period.