Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than major depressive disorder (MDD), to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); increased ratings for right ankle and knee disorders; and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded as the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric condition, right ankle and knee disorders, and the occurrence of his reported witnessing of a fellow Marine's death during training.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, arthritis (other than of the back or neck), a neck disability, a low back disability, and a psychiatric disability due to incomplete development and potential errors in medical opinions. The claims will be further developed to include verification of qualifying service periods and comprehensive examinations.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as service connected. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disability, respiratory disorder, sleep disorder, and low back disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the chronic fatigue syndrome claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder with symptoms of depression and anxiety, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board dismissed all issues related to service connection and new and material evidence claims due to the Veteran's death. The appeal is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, infertility, headache disability, tremor disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to exposure to non-ionizing microwave radiation during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CFS is denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of CFS and the evidence did not support a finding that it was related to service or Persian Gulf service. For sarcoidosis, lung disease, and psychiatric disability claims, additional examination and opinion are needed as they may be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and the Board finds that he meets the requirements of DSM-5 criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's military stressors have been confirmed as adequate to support his PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his psychiatric condition, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral eye disability, bilateral knee condition, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of these conditions and there was sufficient evidence to establish a link between his active duty service and each condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records are incomplete and needs to be remanded for further efforts to obtain these records. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim will also need to be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service onset or aggravation during service. The Court remanded due to insufficient reasons provided in the March 2019 decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder and somatization disorder. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's right hip condition and acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia) are granted service connection. The low back and left knee conditions, which are secondary to the bilateral hip conditions, remain in dispute.,A remand is ordered for further development of the low back and left knee issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and hip disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability secondary to those conditions. The evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of service-connected psychiatric disability and peripheral neuropathy, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a more contemporaneous examination.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from August 20, 2014. The rating reflects that the disability produces no greater than level 2 impairment in at least one facet of impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to her military service and specifically to an in-service personal assault. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination and obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea syndrome are being reviewed.