Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cause of death due to new and material evidence, but has remanded it for further development including a VA medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified adjustment disorder, as well as residuals of hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The decision found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or other conditions related to these claims.

The appeal for service connection of schizophrenia has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's TBI with cognitive impairment is rated at 70 percent effective February 25, 2014. Effective January 25, 2014, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, left arm disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability due to lack of evidence supporting a diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder and a bilateral knee disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions separate from his service-connected major depressive disorder. The claim for service connection was granted for major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability and eye impairment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including a back condition, low memory, PTSD, groin strain, and complications from cholecystectomy. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA medical records and further examination is needed to determine if he has any acquired psychiatric disorders, head injury residuals, scarring at the head, bilateral eye disorders, or a low back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder disability rating, and TDIU due to inadequate VA examination reports. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of seizure disorder, residuals of a stroke, or syncope and has not had these conditions at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.,Regarding her claimed acquired psychiatric disorder (Panic Disorder), the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether it clearly and unmistakably preexisted service. The Veteran's panic symptoms are attributed to unknown causes, and she cannot resolve whether they were caused by or a result of service-connected activities without resorting to mere speculation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The issues include PTSD, arthritis of the spine, left arm pain, left shoulder pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), and diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address relevant evidence. The Veteran's mental health symptoms need to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was dismissed due to the withdrawal of his claim for PTSD, to include schizophrenia. The remaining claims were denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and need for additional development.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for bilateral hip disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and back disability were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence supporting the Veteran's assertions of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral foot disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including those related to service connection for various conditions. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if he is entitled to these benefits.