Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral wrist, right ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities due to failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted. The effective date of the award is October 2014, when he filed the initial claim.,Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied as there is no evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for ED, sleep apnea, a back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been remanded. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's headaches were granted service connection as they had their clinical onset during service. The Board found the Veteran competent to identify the presence of headaches and resolved doubt in his favor, finding that service connection for headaches is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to in-service trauma. Service connection for PTSD pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is denied as there was no diagnosed mental health disorder within two years of separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a liver condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has identified new evidence since the March 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case and requests that the Veteran confirm his desire for a hearing. The appeal is being remanded to allow for this review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, right shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's request for a DRO hearing regarding the denial of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was accepted as a timely Substantive Appeal. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, cervical spine strain, headaches, and hemorrhoids have been granted service connection. The psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depression) has not been granted service connection.

The Veteran's child, J.E., was permanently incapable of self-support due to a mental disorder prior to the age of 18. The Board found that J.E.'s condition prevented her from engaging in any employment and she required constant support.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to cooperate with a VA examination and requests for SSA records.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether M.R. was permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 due to his mental disabilities, including schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. As a result, recognition of M.R. as a 'helpless child' on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18 is granted.

The Board has decided to remand three of the Veteran's claims: initial rating for a psychiatric disability, initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, and TDIU. The decision also notes that there may be relevant SSA records not yet associated with the file.

The appeal for service connection for low back pain is dismissed. The appeals for left ankle disability and psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, are remanded.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in February 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a request for a DRO hearing. The appeal will be reconsidered after this is scheduled.