Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, PTSD, and substance abuse due to inextricably intertwined issues with service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case will be returned to the VA examiner for further evaluation.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 's' rate due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder unspecified depression, which causes him to be likely precluded from substantial and gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is reopened, and the cases of right hip disability, skin disorder, sinus disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis are not related to service, including herbicide exposure or an in-service lightning strike. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.,The Veteran's GERD is also not related to service, specifically his presumed herbicide exposure. The claim for this condition is remanded for further clarification.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and service. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as it lacks an adequate opinion regarding the relationship with service.

The Board denied service connection for lung disability (asthma), peripheral neuropathy of right and left upper extremities, and acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder and insomnia) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange is presumed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective October 6, 2010.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the nature of the Veteran's current low back condition and its relationship to service. Service connection for psychiatric disabilities (to include PTSD) is also remanded.

The TDIU claim is being remanded because it is intertwined with two other claims that are still pending before the RO. The appeal period for these issues has not expired, and a decision should be deferred until the claims regarding psychiatric disability and radiculopathy have been finally decided.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion. The Veteran has provided new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for chronic paranoid schizophrenia with cocaine, cannabis, and alcohol abuse is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records and VA treatment records that have not been associated with the claims file.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea secondary to a service-connected condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, particularly his claimed posttraumatic stress disorder. The Veteran is required to provide information about any in-service events that may have led to these conditions and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine their etiology.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for high cholesterol is dismissed.,Service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetic retinopathy is granted as a complication of his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Board also grants service connection for insomnia, but denies service connection for sleep apnea, acid reflux, skin disorder, headache disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for respiratory, heart, gastrointestinal, lumbar spine, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a deviated septum and TDIU, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his in-service assault. The SMC claim was also denied as there is no evidence of need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claims of residuals of a laceration of left ankle, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and back disability are remanded.