Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, schizoaffective personality disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder NOS, paranoid schizophrenia, and adjustment disorder with depressive features, is remanded due to the failure to provide a VA examination as per the Board's February 2022 remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record, including lack of nexus opinions based on STRs and continuity of care after service. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his military experiences are also considered.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a new VA examination for the Veteran's low back disability and service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, elbow, wrist, hand, and respiratory disabilities. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his low back disability and service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a clarification of his mental health diagnosis or diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with the medical opinions provided and the need for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim includes diagnoses of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, disorganized type, and atypical psychosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of a stroke, Alzheimer's disease or dementia, bilateral lower extremity nerve damage, bilateral upper extremity nerve damage, sleep walking, and an acquired psychiatric disability to obtain additional medical records from Lung Center of Georgia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eczema and an acquired psychiatric disorder are reopened, but the issues of service connection for these conditions remain remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking a diagnosed condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for pseudofolliculitis barbae, right and left knee disabilities, bilateral foot disability, migraine headaches, psychiatric disability, hypertension, stomach disability (acid reflux), cervical spine disability, low back disability, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, surgical scar on lower back, neurological disability of the left lower extremity, and neurological disability of the right lower extremity. Additional development is required to obtain updated VA medical treatment records and properly executed releases for any private care providers who have treated the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, ADHD). The Board also remanded her claims for service connection for right leg pain and weakness, left leg pain and weakness, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right hip condition, sinusitis, and lower back condition.,The Veteran's current bilateral leg pain and weakness are related to her service-connected left hip strain. The Veteran's current bilateral ankle conditions may be related to her active military service. Her current acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, ADHD) is likely related to her in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, a right knee disability, and a right foot disability. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted. The claim for service connection for a cardiac disability remains pending as the Veteran failed to appear for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes (due to Southwest Asia service), low back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional records, including private treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and traumatic brain injury are also being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's claim will be remanded to obtain a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that his current mental health diagnoses are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim to recognize his daughter as a dependent due to her permanent incapacity for self-support prior to turning 18 is being remanded. The VA needs more information about the child's condition during high school and any special education or treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is related to service and remanded for further development, including verifying his tour dates with the 9th Marines in Camp Schwab, Okinawa, and verifying his stressor. The case will be returned for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation of his service-connected hemorrhoids and entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and verification of stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for open angle glaucoma and a lumbar spine disability, to include arthritis of the lumbar spine and chronic low back strain, are granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.