Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The appeal for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is dismissed. The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) has been reopened, but the rating for degenerative joint disease of lumbar spine with spondylosis remains remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, should be remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and need for a comprehensive medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for GERD, dermatitis, a bilateral eye disability, a right Achilles disability, and a right calf disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for a more detailed psychiatric opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and schizoaffective disorders, has been reopened. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination and provide a more thorough opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle, low back, and bilateral hand conditions. The issues of service connection are being addressed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability caused total occupational and social impairment from September 10, 2007 to September 9, 2018. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for this period of time. The issue of TDIU is moot as the Veteran has been assigned a combined disability rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the current ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, low back disorder, respiratory disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all at their maximum allowable levels or do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The Board found that the previous denials were final and did not establish clear and unmistakable error, thus preventing a grant of an earlier effective date.

The Veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of VA funds due to his mental health condition, schizophrenia. The Board has determined that the evidence clearly and convincingly shows he lacks the ability to manage his financial affairs.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder prior to August 7, 2007 was granted. However, the periods of hospitalization in May and July 2007 were not considered as informal claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, sinusitis, dizziness, rhinitis, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the February 2009 decision warrants readjudication of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for obesity and an initial rating greater than 30 percent prior to January 7, 2019, for an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder is granted, but his sleep apnea is denied as not secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decision was made.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and a personality disorder, is related to service. However, further examination and development are needed due to inconsistencies in the medical records and conflicting statements from the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations. Additionally, the Board has determined that there has been substantial compliance with prior remand directives and has ordered another remand to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's insomnia disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for laryngeal cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), and hypertension due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained.

The Board denied service connection for colon cancer and a psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between the conditions and the Veteran's military service.,The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and his service.