Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for pinguecula, an initial compensable rating for bilateral cataracts, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for low back disability, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, chronic sinusitis, and hypertension. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable colon syndrome, GERD, small bundle fiber neuropathy, a low back disorder, sleep disorders, hypogammaglobulinemia, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Board has denied service connection for psychiatric disorders, including Major depressive disorder and Generalized anxiety disorder, as they are not linked to disease or injury incurred in active service.,Service connection for a giant cell bone tumor of the right wrist is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for left knee, right knee, and left shoulder disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate etiology opinions provided by a VA examiner. The claims are being remanded for new examinations and opinions from new examiners.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including a major depressive disorder and increased rating for skin disorder due to incomplete medical development. The RO is directed to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations as per the October 2019 remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims for pes planus, kidney disorder (including urinary tract infection), and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety with panic disorder, and depression) is remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The issues are related to service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to link his current psychiatric condition to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened and the Board found new evidence sufficient to reopen the claim. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is granted a rating of 40 percent effective October 4, 2017. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is also granted. Other issues on appeal are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for cervical spine disability and Graves' disease, and the Board dismissed these claims. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD have been reopened, but the Board has not yet decided whether these conditions are related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is also remanded due to insufficient medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's personality disorder, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right elbow disability was reopened and granted. The appeal is remanded for further development on the issues of low back, foot, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further examination and development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for mechanical lumbar strain and psychiatric disability (including OCD and GAD) have been denied as the Veteran failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's right-hand laceration scar is not rated higher than 10 percent prior to August 26, 2019 and a rating higher than 10 percent is denied beginning August 26, 2019.,The Veteran's right-hand disability (to include carpal tunnel) is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as presumed due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumed due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, and a TDIU is granted. The Board found the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.