Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including other specified schizophrenia and psychotic disorder. The Veteran's representative cited a study linking hydradenitis suppurativa with schizophrenia.

The Veteran was found to be substantially gainfully employed prior to November 18, 2014, with a salary above the poverty threshold. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for TDIU during this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition, and bilateral hip disability due to a lack of VA examination. The Veteran's disabilities may be related to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for clarification of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and its onset during service. The Veteran must be presumed sound at entry, and the burden shifts to the government to rebut this presumption with clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition pre-existed service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not rated higher than noncompensable (0 percent).,Service connection for CTS of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity, restless leg syndrome of the left lower extremity, and restless leg syndrome of the right lower extremity are all denied.,Service connection for hypertension is denied.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is not service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition due to reported worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD, to include as secondary to seizure disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected seizure disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are being reviewed, but no service connection will be granted at this time as there is insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of records documenting the motor vehicle accident and further development is needed.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is currently rated at 70 percent, effective as of November 20, 2019. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders (ALS and PSP), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) due to insufficient medical opinions provided in previous decisions. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, due to incomplete documentation of scheduled VA examinations and potential failure to notify the Veteran.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder may be related to service, but needs further clarification and evidence. The case is being sent back for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for tinnitus have been withdrawn.,Claims of service connection for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss disability, diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disorder (to include depression), right foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis, left foot pes planus and plantar fasciitis, and bilateral eye disability (exotropia) have been dismissed due to lack of timely appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions. The issues of entitlement to TDIU are also inextricably intertwined with these service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Schizophrenia due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case is sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia disorder is granted. The Board finds that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues, including a VA examination and review of relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's claimed headache disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied service connection as they are not considered to be related to his active service or service-connected conditions.