Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's cervical spine strain and right knee arthritis have been granted a 20 percent disability rating from August 29, 2014 to November 13, 2019. The psychiatric disorder has been granted a 30 percent disability rating for the period from August 29, 2014 to December 15, 2014. The Veteran's testicular cancer residuals have not met the criteria for a higher rating. The scars of the abdomen and inner left thigh have been granted a 20 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an addendum regarding his psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric condition including depression, and migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his hearing loss, as well as an addendum medical opinion to determine the nature, etiology, symptoms, and severity of his acquired psychiatric condition (including depression) and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claim for a combined disability rating in excess of 90 percent for the period from December 7, 2011 is dismissed as their acquired psychiatric disability has resulted in a maximum combined schedular disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensable, as his right ear has a maximum rating of Level VI and left ear has a maximum rating of Level I.,Service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder was granted based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression), and restless leg syndrome due to inadequate rationale in previous VA opinions and potential duty-to-assist issues.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, was rated at 70 percent prior to November 12, 2018. The claim for an increased rating is denied. TDIU from May 29, 2012 to November 12, 2018, has been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to the complexity of the medical issues involved.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 5, 2018 due to service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to that date is remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding no competent medical evidence linking the condition to service or a service-connected disorder. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not service connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to address the possibility of aggravation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new evidence and an opinion on whether his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 29, 2013, for the grant of service connection of migraine headaches has been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for her migraines.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected migraine headaches remains denied as there are no additional symptoms or residuals that would warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of viral meningitis has been denied due to lack of evidence of a present disability and insufficient evidence linking any in-service incident to current symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of her left hand disability (claimed as a pinched nerve) remains pending, with the issue remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral plantar fasciitis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are both pending, with the issues remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of her left elbow injury (claimed as a pinched nerve) remains pending, with the issue remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of peripheral enthesopathy (claimed as shin pain) is pending and has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of polyuria is pending and has been remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of her lumbar spine disability, skin condition (claimed as tinea pedis and toenail fungus), and skin condition (claimed as acne) are all pending and have been remanded.

The Veteran was granted a higher initial disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD, the maximum schedular rating.,An effective date prior to July 3, 2017, for service connection of PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address employment impact. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder is now before the AOJ for further evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to notify him of scheduled VA examinations and his homelessness. The cases are now returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is aggravated by his service-connected erectile dysfunction or other disabilities. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of March 3, 1975.