Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for hypertension due to herbicide exposure and denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to April 3, 2019. The Veteran's hypertension was not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of hypertension during or within one year after discharge. For PTSD, the Board found that the current level of disability did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than service-connected schizophrenia), a respiratory condition, a skin disorder, and high blood pressure. The case is being remanded to allow for these examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of left foot condition, service connection for right foot fracture and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder) are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot disability and denied service connection for right ankle, left knee, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The case is remanded for further development regarding a skin disability.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied, but he was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and substance abuse as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for breast cancer and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to breast cancer. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's breast cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service connection claim and TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently and substantially confine her to her immediate premises, nor does she have loss of use of a creative organ or left foot. Therefore, the claims for SMC based on these grounds are denied.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability as no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has granted nonservice-connected pension benefits from June 2, 2009 to August 18, 2017. The issues of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and service connection for psychiatric disorder (including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) and residuals of traumatic brain injury are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for hypertension prior to December 31, 2015 and service connection for hepatitis B has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board acknowledges the Veteran’s in-service noise exposure but notes that his hearing was within normal limits while in service and inconsistent reports of tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, blurred vision, and erectile dysfunction due to incomplete communication with the appellant.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), kidney failure, liver inflammation/infection, and high blood pressure are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and additional examination. The Veteran's disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and need for further clarification of the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include major depressive disorder. The other claims of service connection for a bilateral foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, and migraine headaches have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating and SMC based on housebound criteria were denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral leg disability, left ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), asthma, ulcers, and right ankle disability due to lack of current diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.