Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no final decision could be made on the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and panic disorder with alcohol dependence, is granted service connection. The claim for tinnitus has also been granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a hernia or residuals of a hernia or hernia repair due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and a compensable rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension have been reopened. The claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis is remanded due to lack of a specified body part.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and verification of her period of active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, lumbar back disability with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lower left extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for updated VA treatment records and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an independent medical opinion to address the Veteran's psychiatric disability and its relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims file should be reviewed by the examiner.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for right hip disability is reopened, and to this extent only the appeal is granted.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip disability is reopened, and to this extent only the appeal is granted.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability is reopened, and to this extent only the appeal is granted.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for right hand disability is reopened, and to this extent only the appeal is granted.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder disability and right shoulder disability (fracture fragment of the right acromioclavicular joint) are remanded.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded.

The Veteran's respiratory disability (other than allergic rhinitis) and throat disability have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Joint pain, foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, fatigue with light headedness, eye disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and schizophrenia) are all pending further examination and/or opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and depression is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor, which is necessary for service connection of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and medical opinions due to incomplete records and inadequate previous opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a jaw disability (claimed as locked jaw) was denied due to the absence of evidence of current disability during or shortly after service.,Service connection for sleep apnea was denied because there is no evidence of an in-service onset and no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is dismissed as he withdrew all remaining claims on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that more development is needed before a decision can be made on these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TBI and psychiatric residuals, as well as his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. Additional development is needed including obtaining updated medical records, scheduling examinations, and completing additional adjudications.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that his current sleep apnea is related to active duty service and grants the claim. For the other issues, the Board finds new examinations are needed as the Veteran contends an increase in disability level.