Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosed disability for his right knee, right hand, colon, bilateral foot, and acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of military service. The Board also found that there is no in-service event or evidence to demonstrate how these disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), migraine headaches, and residuals of head trauma were denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish current disabilities or link them to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues on appeal include service connection for various conditions, with some cases involving exposure to herbicide or mustard gas and others requiring consideration of pre-existing conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and there was no link between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to missing records, which have since been obtained. The VA needs to consider this new evidence in their decision.

The Board has decided that there may be relevant VA treatment records and SSA records that have not been reviewed, which could affect the decision. The case is being sent back to get these records.

The Veteran's claims for radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The claims for radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve and right knee disorder are denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or incident that caused these conditions. The claim for a lumbar spine disorder is granted due to a nexus with service, but the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia, finding that the condition had its onset during active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The claims for back disability, TBI residuals, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to new evidence received.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear notification of an examination for service connection of a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are now pending and need further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, psychosis, and schizoaffective disorder has been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service onset and continuity of symptoms post-service, warranting service connection. Service connection is also granted for neck, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, and low back disorders based on their relationship to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of service connection for lower back condition, acquired psychiatric condition, and bilateral lower extremity conditions have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder) due to new evidence received during the appeal process. The claims are being reviewed on their merits.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lower back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the need for additional information regarding the qualifications of the VA examiners who conducted the examinations.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, PTSD, seizure disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board has determined that these issues are remanded due to ambiguities in the character of discharge determination and insufficient medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, fatigue, and headaches, are granted service connection. The cervical spine issue is dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal. Fatigue and headache issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for his left shoulder tendinitis and TDIU were denied due to failure to appear for a VA examination without showing good cause.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder, heart condition, diabetes, hypertension, prostate cancer, glaucoma, and hyperlipidemia, is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim. The evidence does not support any of these claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sexual dysfunction and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, alcohol and substance abuse, bilateral pes planus, migraine headaches, cataracts, vertigo, and glaucoma. The claims for left ankle/foot disorders other than pes planus, right knee injuries, and left knee injuries are denied.