Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; back disability; right knee disability; left knee disability; and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the scope of the claim is expanded to include other acquired psychiatric disabilities. A VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including stomach ulcers, prostate cancer residuals, anxiety and panic attacks, arthritis of the lower back, vision problems, umbilical hernia, high blood pressure, bilateral hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis of the knees. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD (bipolar disorder) was denied. A rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted effective July 15, 2014. The claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to October 28, 2016 and from that date are both denied.

The claims of service connection for liver disorder, hypertension, heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and left testicle disorder are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses and potential in-service events will be evaluated.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is no evidence linking the condition to active duty service or any known clinical diagnosis.

The Veteran was granted a Total Disability Rating for Employment (TDIU) prior to December 29, 2016 due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The Board found that the Veteran's employment during this period was marginal and did not meet the criteria for substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of recent examination and interview of the Veteran, and will attempt again to obtain an examination for a determination on service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, left wrist condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and headache condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA examiner is requested to address the Veteran's lay testimony of having experienced symptoms in service and since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right wrist, ankle, knee, hip, left knee, back, sciatica, and psychiatric disorders are all denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure, including Agent Orange. The claims are related and will be considered together.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, cervical spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding incidents in service that could have caused her current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, as secondary to service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the Board finding that her back disability and psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than depressive disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, as well as diabetes mellitus (DM), were denied. The Board has remanded both claims due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability has been granted a 50 percent rating, but no higher, for the entire appeal period. The decision is based on symptoms of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric, low back, and neuropathic disabilities due to missing records from his active duty service. The Veteran attributes these conditions to in-service incidents.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for headaches was denied as his headaches did not manifest with characteristic prostrating attacks.,The effective date for the 30 percent rating for headaches is set at December 16, 2015.,The Veteran's initial rating in excess of 50% disabling for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) prior to March 23, 2022 was denied due to lack of evidence of very prostrating and prolonged attacks.