Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD related to a confirmed in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for right tibial and fibular fractures, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence showing a permanent increase in disability during the period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) from June 1963 to December 1963. The appellant's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune was not considered as there is no presumption applicable.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA examiner needs to provide a clearer opinion on whether the condition is related to in-service personal assaults.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, which was service-connected prior to August 10, 2011, caused total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period. The Board granted a disability rating of 100 percent for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, as well as for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), but denied these claims. The claim for service connection for acoustic neuroma is also remanded due to new evidence of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected delusional disorder with major depressive order is granted, and he is also granted a 100 percent rating for this condition. He is also granted SMC based on aid and attendance due to his psychiatric disability. The issue of TDIU is moot as the Veteran now has a 100 percent schedular rating.

The TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of a new claim filed by the Veteran. The anxiety disorder claim is referred to the RO for possible adjudication.

The Veteran's initial requests for higher ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, sinusitis, and psychiatric disability have been denied.,For the period prior to May 27, 2021, the Veteran's migraine headaches were rated at 30% effective from September 16, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD and substance abuse, was granted. The claim of service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand four of the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions. The claims include service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Board has dismissed all the appeals for service connection as the Veteran passed away before a final decision could be made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of unspecified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder was granted with an effective date of November 16, 2005.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis was not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for paranoid type schizophrenia is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of left knee disability, CAD, cerebral vascular accident, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to secure opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's headache condition and acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether they are related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression. The Veteran's hepatitis C is linked to in-service air gun immunizations and sexual contacts. His depression is linked to his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, obesity, left knee disability, or low back disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to a lack of VA examinations and records. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the issues of hay fever and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Desai, which are relevant to the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, and right eye condition.