Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety, as the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or establish that any current psychiatric disability is related to service.,The Board also denied service connection for a back disorder, finding no persuasive evidence linking any current back condition to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions including left hip condition, right hip condition, degenerative arthritis of the spine, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD is granted. The claim for right knee tricompartmental osteoarthritis is denied. The claim for tinnitus (secondary to service-connected disability) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for status post right knee arthroscopy with residual osteoarthritis, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood), and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim will be reviewed with a new VA examiner.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for a nerve condition, headache disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, these claims are still pending as additional development is required to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to uncertainty regarding his complete service treatment records and Army National Guard records. The Board will need to obtain these records and conduct further development, including obtaining an examination if necessary.

The Board's September 2021 decision denying service connection for PTSD is vacated, and the case is remanded due to failure to consider all relevant regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and hypertension due to issues with obtaining VA treatment records, as well as clarifying exposure history. The Veteran is not presumed exposed to herbicides or Agent Orange, but his hypertension may be related to stressors during service.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The claims for prostate, gout, glaucoma, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), left shoulder, right shoulder, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided by the VA examiner regarding the pre-existence of schizophrenia and its relation to service.

The Board has denied service connection for neuropathy of the right upper extremity and remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee condition is not related to his military service and denied this claim.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected costochondritis and any associated musculoskeletal impairment. Additionally, an examination is needed to determine if she manifests an acquired psychiatric disorder as a complication of her service-connected costochondritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and a heart condition due to insufficient evidence in some cases. The appellant is seeking service connection for these conditions based on their occurrence during or as a result of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, a heart disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the disabilities and service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep condition (to include sleep apnea), and headaches are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a heart disability, to include CAD. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors for PTSD and potential exposure to herbicides for CAD.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus issues are remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claim is remanded to develop evidence regarding the etiology of his condition.,The Veteran's left knee disability rating is remanded due to a new MRI showing increased severity.,A new VA examination is needed for the left knee issue.