Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board finds that there may be outstanding medical records from Fort Dix that could substantiate his claims.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder, as evidenced by recent medical literature. Further development is needed to determine if this relationship exists.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD and other mental health conditions related to service. The Board finds a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to in-service stressors.,The Veteran's low back and cervical spine disorders are likely related to his military service, as evidenced by documented symptoms during service. VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran has a history of acne on his face while in service. A VA examination is needed to assess whether his current pseudofolliculitis barbae condition may be related to his military service.,

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically a depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded due to the impact on overall disability rating.

The Veteran's service connection for a variously diagnosed respiratory disability is granted. The appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability and TDIU prior to September 16, 2011 is denied. Service connection for the foot disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to several reasons including obtaining new medical opinions, clinical records, and corroborating a reported stressor event. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is now pending.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral leg disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and a psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability.,There is no evidence showing that any of these conditions are directly related to military service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran was granted TDIU for the period from February 21, 2019 to November 7, 2019 and from November 19, 2020. SMC was also granted effective November 7, 2019.,Prior to February 21, 2019, the Veteran's combined disability rating did not meet the requirements for a schedular TDIU rating. However, due to his employment status and service-connected disabilities affecting his ability to work, an extraschedular TDIU was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD) on a secondary basis to the Veteran's now service-connected low back disability.,The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s current diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, MDD, was caused by his now service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for either condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, is found to be related to her active service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), a lower back condition, right and left knee conditions, right foot frostbite, left foot frostbite, right hand frostbite, left hand frostbite, tinea versicolor with tinea pedis, and status-post fracture of the left fourth finger with osteoarthritis. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, but granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no clear diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, earaches, and painful gums and teeth have been denied as her claimed conditions are not shown to be related to her military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea, but remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor.,Service connection is also being remanded for hypertension as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD and sleep apnea claims.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's kidney and bladder cancer cases are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bladder disability, erectile dysfunction, and psychiatric disability due to incomplete records. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from private healthcare providers and VA clinics, as well as documentation of any Social Security Administration (SSA) award or denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and erectile dysfunction due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for skin, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD), insomnia disorder, and alcohol-related disorder are all remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence supports a relationship between his current condition and his military service.