Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's low back injury is alleged to have occurred in service while he was stationed near the DMZ in Korea. His acquired psychiatric disability may be related to his service stressors.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and mental disorder as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability, and there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major neurocognitive disorder. The evidence did not support current diagnoses or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error. The issues of right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being addressed on the merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to his service-connected right thumb and right knee disabilities.

The Board's decision partially vacates the remand of the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for a TBI due to the Veteran's timely submission of a VA Form 20-0996, Request for Higher-Level Review. The appeal is now under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression. Additional steps are needed to verify the inservice injury that led to his current condition.,The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify stressors.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify the inservice injury.,The Veteran's asthma is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was diagnosed while in service and whether any increase in severity is due to his service-connected ankle disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to verify stressors.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to search for relevant records related to the Veteran's claimed stressor event.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability (to include pes planus). The denial was based on the lack of a current diagnosis of PTSD that meets DSM-5 criteria. Service connection for the bilateral foot disability was granted as it is considered directly related to active duty service.

The Veteran's chronic sinus disorder is currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board has granted a 10 percent rating for this condition.,Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder remains remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 29, 2014 and a rating in excess of 50 percent since that time.,The Veteran was granted TDIU due to his service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was reopened due to new and material evidence. However, the claim was denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or current psychiatric condition related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has granted a TDIU from April 25, 2013, based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and a heart disease (claimed residual of a heart attack) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral ear condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate VA examinations. The issues are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since at least February 8, 2018. An effective date of February 8, 2018 is assigned for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board has granted a 100% rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder effective March 2, 2020. Attorney fees are awarded based on past-due benefits awarded in this decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, right wrist disability, left shoulder disability, and psychiatric disability (depression). The appeals are remanded for further development.