Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not establish a relationship between the current psychiatric disability and military service.

The appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims. The low back disability, OSA, acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding PTSD), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left knee chondromalacia patella claims have all been reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and a sleep disorder. The Board found that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has been granted an increased initial rating of 30 percent.,Service connection for undiagnosed illness manifested by chronic dermatitis, sleep disorder, heart palpitations and irregular heartbeat, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder have all been granted due to service in the Persian Gulf.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and fibromyalgia appeals were withdrawn.,A tumor of the right pelvic bone, blurred vision, neuropathy (including as secondary to a tumor of the right pelvic bone), and vertigo issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for neurobehavioral effects and acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no current disability manifested by these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions should be remanded to allow for consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete evidence. The claims include gastric ulcer condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), dementia/Alzheimer's disease, left ankle condition, and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fatal end stage liver disease was at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected schizophrenia, including medications prescribed for treatment. Therefore, service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service stressor.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, a psychiatric disorder, hypertension as secondary to a service-connected disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet. The Veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure due to his military service in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an abnormal gait, PTSD and anxiety, a lower neck disability, and headaches have been granted. However, the claim for a lower neck disability is remanded to obtain medical records from NATO HQ at Film City.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's incarceration, making it difficult to conduct an examination. The VA is instructed to provide copies of DBQs to prison officials and request a psychiatric evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his adjustment disorder is not related to his in-service events and was more likely caused by identity theft.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety disorder) have been rated based on their service-connected nature. The Board has found that the current ratings are not adequate to reflect the severity of these conditions.,The Veteran is being remanded for further examination to determine if his PTSD symptoms have worsened since his last VA examination in February 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his back condition, as the March 2014 examination report was inadequate and does not comply with Correia v. McDonald and Sharp v. Shulkin.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and a personality disorder, has been denied. The Board found the Veteran's accounts of personal assault in service to be not credible.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder), finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete development. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is being reviewed again for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma (MST), finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions were incurred during her military service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. A separate initial 10 percent rating has also been assigned for a painful scar.