Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development of issues including service connection for right leg/ankle, right knee, and left leg/ankle disabilities; increased rating for facial scars; and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) and hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear pain. Service connection for a right foot disability is also REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disability has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of military personnel records that may support the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, including right shoulder disability, psychiatric disability, thoracic and lumbar spine disability, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, femoral nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lateral collateral ligament sprain. The remand requires obtaining additional VA treatment records and scanning relevant documents into VistA Imaging or CPRS.

The Veteran's service-connected neck disability is found to be the proximate cause of his peripheral neurological disorders affecting both upper extremities, and sleep apnea. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's service connection claim to include an acquired psychiatric disorder and has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and military personnel files.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current anxiety disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an addendum VA opinion that considers all evidence of record, including his diagnosis of schizophrenia during the appeal period and reports of substance abuse prior to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diagnosed as depression and anxiety with chemical dependency are granted. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraines, a neck disorder, a back disorder, chronic pain syndrome, and right knee scar are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and a psychiatric disorder, to include depression and anxiety due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including service connection for a psychiatric disability. The Board has determined that these issues require additional development and are therefore REMANDED.,For the left knee disabilities, the Veteran is currently receiving appropriate ratings based on limitation of flexion and extension.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure the Veteran receives fully adequate VA medical examinations and opinions regarding his claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran does not have a current disability and that any diagnosed conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is granted as service connected. The evidence supports the claim that his current diagnosis is related to events he experienced while in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The VA is required to provide a new examination or opinion where there is insufficient evidence of record to decide the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability had its inception during his military service and is granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right knee disabilities, an acquired psychiatric disability, and sleep apnea due to potential outstanding treatment records and further examination.

The Board dismissed all appeals for service connection and disability ratings related to the veteran's conditions, including heart disabilities, psychiatric disorders, diabetic nephropathy, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies, and retinopathy. The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.