Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further medical examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a head trauma, including headaches. The case is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and retrieval of missing records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

Service connection is granted for low back disability as secondary to service-connected pes cavus and left ankle achilles tendonitis. Service connection remains pending for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, and dry cough is dismissed as the claim has been granted. The issue of service connection for an irregular heartbeat is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and evaluation in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar strain are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The claims are now remanded to allow for further development regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for exercise-induced anaphylaxis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded the hypertension claim due to insufficient evidence of Gulf War exposure. The undiagnosed illness claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it is neither proximately due to nor aggravated by diabetes mellitus type 2, and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran’s back disorder is remanded for further development of evidence regarding in-service and post-service pain.,The Veteran’s left ankle disorder is remanded for a medical opinion addressing his reports of ankle pain following service.,The Veteran’s right ankle disorder is remanded for a medical opinion addressing the relationship between favoring his left ankle and his current right ankle disorder.,The Veteran’s tuberculosis claim requires a VA examination to determine if it may be related to in-service treatment at Fort Polk, Louisiana.,The Veteran’s skin disorder is remanded for an addendum opinion addressing whether his lay statements of continued symptoms since service are supported by medical evidence.,The Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood) is remanded for a medical opinion regarding the possibility of prior diagnoses related to service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 rating claim is remanded for assignment of an effective date prior to March 14, 2006.,The Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded for initial ratings and effective dates.,The Veteran’s back examination will include assessment of any neuropathy symptoms related to the back.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, left wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, malaria, sleep disorder, hypertension, rashes, diabetes, stroke, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression).

Your claims for service connection and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The appeal regarding service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

This decision denies earlier effective dates for service connection for hypertension, a 70% rating for PTSD and major depression, TDIU benefits, and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) due to the lack of factual ascertainability or other valid legal basis.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension was granted on July 28, 2011, which corresponds with his separation date. The effective date is not earlier than this date as it is factually ascertainable that the disability arose prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran has tinnitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for hepatitis C and depression was granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) secondary to hepatitis C.

The Board has decided that the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypertension secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder need further examination and opinion. The Veteran's testimony during his June 2018 hearing indicated he was seeking service connection for these conditions as secondary to his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a respiratory disorder (asbestosis) due to his withdrawal. The issues of service connection for hypertension and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service petroleum exposure and its impact on the Veteran's health. The Veteran is requested to undergo examinations by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any respiratory disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not attributable to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and chronic pain syndrome, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. Headache disorder and memory loss disorder are also not related to service.