Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claims of service connection, rating increases, and TDIU are being returned to the RO for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and potentially Social Security Administration records.

Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, currently manifested by paranoid schizophrenia with secondary alcohol dependence, is granted.,The claims of service connection for both eyes (vision problems) (now claimed as eye condition), right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition are remanded due to the need for further evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

An increased rating of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder and adjustment disorder is granted effective April 1, 2015.,An increased rating of 100 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder and adjustment disorder is granted effective March 13, 2016.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability is denied.,A separate initial rating of 10 percent for painful left knee limitation of motion is granted effective April 1, 2015.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective October 1, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded for further action on several issues, including increased ratings for her acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee instability, and limitation of motion. The cartilage condition of the left knee received a 10% disability rating effective August 10, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition is being remanded due to new and material evidence. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, claimed as PTSD, is also being remanded.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran's service-connected migraines are at least as likely as not to cause or permanently worsen her diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression/mental disorder. However, the issues regarding service connection and TDIU remain remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and to include as secondary to his right knee disability, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

Service connection for gout is withdrawn and dismissed. Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and anxiety. The appeals for increased ratings for service-connected low back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (anterior crural nerve), and TDIU are all remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and vascular dementia were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is remanded due to the need for further development. His claim for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and procedural issues. The Veteran must provide additional evidence, including personnel records from his National Guard service, and undergo VA examinations to determine the nature of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as incomplete medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, is reopened due to new and material evidence. Additional development is needed for the right ankle disability and any acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records, specifically missing psychiatric treatment records from Dr. R.B. prior to October 27, 2015.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The respiratory disability claims are denied as they were aggravated by service.