Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims file should be reviewed by the examiner.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for right hip disability is reopened, and to this extent only the appeal is granted.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip disability is reopened, and to this extent only the appeal is granted.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability is reopened, and to this extent only the appeal is granted.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for right hand disability is reopened, and to this extent only the appeal is granted.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder disability and right shoulder disability (fracture fragment of the right acromioclavicular joint) are remanded.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded.

The Veteran's respiratory disability (other than allergic rhinitis) and throat disability have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Joint pain, foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, fatigue with light headedness, eye disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and schizophrenia) are all pending further examination and/or opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and depression is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor, which is necessary for service connection of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and medical opinions due to incomplete records and inadequate previous opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a jaw disability (claimed as locked jaw) was denied due to the absence of evidence of current disability during or shortly after service.,Service connection for sleep apnea was denied because there is no evidence of an in-service onset and no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is dismissed as he withdrew all remaining claims on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that more development is needed before a decision can be made on these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TBI and psychiatric residuals, as well as his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. Additional development is needed including obtaining updated medical records, scheduling examinations, and completing additional adjudications.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that his current sleep apnea is related to active duty service and grants the claim. For the other issues, the Board finds new examinations are needed as the Veteran contends an increase in disability level.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction, but denied a rating in excess of 20 percent from October 15, 2014, for lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease, is found to be caused by his service-connected right femoral nerve neuropathy with right thigh rectus atrophy. An effective date of September 21, 2016, for the grant of a 20% rating is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, attention deficit, and memory loss, is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a relationship to an in-service injury.,Service connection for residuals of cancerous cervical polyps is denied due to lack of evidence of its onset during service or a relationship to an in-service injury.,Service connection for hysterectomy associated with residuals of cancerous cervical polyps is denied as there is no secondary service connection available since the condition is not service-connected.,Service connection for athlete's feet is denied as there is no current disability found, and the Veteran has not provided evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment related to this claim.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as her testimony supports an in-service onset and continuity of symptoms since discharge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined whether they are well-grounded. The claim of type II diabetes mellitus is granted as new and material evidence was received. The claim of bilateral hearing loss is also granted as new and material evidence was received. However, the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), a left ankle disability, and bilateral flat feet are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for residuals of TBI has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has remanded his claim for an increased rating. His RLE radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent since July 31, 2021.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence supports a finding that the current condition is related to an in-service incident of being held at gunpoint during a robbery.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify the Veteran's reported exposure and stressors, as well as to attempt to substantiate service connection claims.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is associated with his service-connected lumbar spine condition and acquired psychiatric disorder, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.