Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.,The claims for service connection of sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development of medical evidence.,The claim for service connection of a lung disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development of medical evidence.,

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral ankle tendinitis, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's kidney disease, back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and depression. The Court remanded the case to provide a more thorough medical opinion regarding the onset of these conditions during or shortly after active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying her claim for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and conflicting opinions, requiring additional medical opinion evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of low back strain, service connection for bilateral knee disability and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to failure to appear for VA examinations. A new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected low back strain, nature and etiology of any diagnosed right and/or left knee disabilities, and whether any acquired psychiatric conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sinusitis, both of which are related to his head injury sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hallux valgus are granted. The Veteran's bilateral eye disorder is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran sustained additional disabilities as a result of her three abdominal surgeries at Gainesville VAMC. The issues include entitlement to compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an abdominal disability with residual painful scar, chronic pelvic and vaginal pain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder may be related to his service-connected left wrist disorder, but needs further clarification and evidence. The case is being sent back for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's disability rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder was improperly reduced from 70% to 50%, and the Board granted restoration of a 70% disability rating effective April 1, 2015. The claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of schizophrenia was granted with an effective date of June 1, 2017. The claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A) was also granted with an effective date of June 1, 2017.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection was granted or denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder), and bilateral hand osteoarthritis due to outstanding VA medical records not being included in the claims file.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, cerebral vascular accident (CVA), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues related to his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depression are being remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressors. The claim for sleep apnea is also being remanded.,A VA examination will be conducted to confirm the diagnoses and determine if there is a link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder degenerative joint disease and schizophrenia have been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and his schizophrenia was determined to be less likely than not caused by service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.