Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, unspecified trauma disorder, and persistent depressive disorder due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of in-service stressors. The Board found that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim for lumbar degenerative disc disease was previously denied, but new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The claim for PTSD is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back and neck disorders, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient development. The Veteran's STRs are unavailable, but his statements from fellow service members, private treatment records, and VA examinations support his contentions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for multiple sclerosis, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for any of these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a stroke due to new and material evidence. The claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded as well.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during his period of active duty or their relationship to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot disability, headache disability, chest pain disability, and psychiatric disability due to conflicting VA opinions and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in determining the onset of each condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, breathing condition, and schizophrenia have been withdrawn. The appeal for tinnitus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and his bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU prior to July 2, 2018 are all inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and various diagnosed psychiatric disability for further development due to insufficient opinions in the June 2018 remand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical nexus opinions provided in response to previous remands. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disorder, a left shoulder disorder, and a back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining clarification of the Veteran's employment history and a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,The Veteran was previously denied service connection, but new evidence has now raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bipolar disorder is causally related to her service, specifically her reported in-service sexual assault.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II.