Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed all compensation claims under 38 U.S.C. � 1151 for various disabilities due to VA medical treatment and surgery on April 12, 2010, and May 2010.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disability, and a right ankle disability.,Service connection is remanded for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and insomnia, finding that there was no medical nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that her tinnitus began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.,An earlier effective date of December 13, 2013, but no earlier, has been granted for the grant of service connection for right ankle tendonitis. The Veteran's informal claim was received on December 13, 2013.,The Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating from December 13, 2013, for bilateral tendonitis. However, an increased rating in excess of 10 percent is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,Service connection for a low back condition (DDD L4-5) is remanded as the February 2015 VA examiner could not provide a medical opinion without imaging testing and additional review of records. The examiner will be asked to address whether the Veteran's scoliosis, diagnosed in service, was congenital.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as there are insufficient records available for evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to the submission of new evidence that is relevant to these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder, effective April 30, 2015. The Veteran's attorney representative is eligible to receive fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the January 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was not incurred during active service and is not caused by an event or illness occurring in active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, and a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD with symptoms of depression and other trauma and stressor-related disorder is granted. Entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as ulcers) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a psychiatric disorder manifested by insomnia due to outstanding treatment records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 70 percent for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The Board also finds that further remand is necessary to obtain a proper opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and other issues, including a remand for new opinions on the relationship between his current conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the increased rating for malaria and its residuals, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's fatigue, day sweats, and night sweats related to malaria. A new VA medical opinion is required to assess the nature and etiology of any identified acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches has been withdrawn. The claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, sleep apnea, breast cancer residuals, cholecystectomy residuals, right knee disability, left knee disability, left foot injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), traumatic brain injury with residuals, memory loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and tinnitus have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, a left foot condition, a left ankle condition, and a psychiatric disorder due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-5 but met the criteria for unspecified depressive disorder and stimulant (cocaine) use disorder in sustained remission. Service connection was also denied for right knee osteoarthritis, right hip degenerative joint disease, and status post total hip arthroplasty.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension at the housebound rate is granted due to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities, which have led him to be substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises.

The Board found no current diagnosis of ulcers and denied the claim for service connection.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed TBI, and the Veteran's STRs do not support such an event. The Board denied the claim for service connection for TBI.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, characterized by total occupational and social impairment, was granted a 100 percent disability rating from August 31, 1956 to August 14, 2018.