Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia, is related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiovascular (CV) disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the disorders were not incurred in or related to service.

The Board has withdrawn the issues of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to new evidence received in March 2021. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress, moderate-severe with psychotic features, anxiety, dysthymic disorder, and an adjustment disorder, has been granted. The issues of service connection for migraines, low back disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being returned for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners.

The Board has remanded both claims for service connection due to the need for clarification regarding whether dementia constitutes an acquired psychiatric disorder. The cause of death claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the service connection of the low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is considered part of his reopened claim for a nervous condition.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, the highest rating allowed.,The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his service-connected psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The earliest possible effective date is March 10, 2010, when he was granted service connection. However, as all psychiatric disabilities are rated on their symptomology regardless of diagnosis, the change from adjustment disorder to PTSD does not affect the effective date.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for development including completion of a TDIU form and an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there is no medical evidence to support a pre-existing mental health condition prior to active duty service and no nexus between military service and any current mental health symptoms.

An effective date of December 17, 1984 is granted for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.,An effective date of December 17, 1984 is also granted for basic eligibility to Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA).,The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an eye disability, left ear hearing loss, and psychiatric disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The focus will be on determining if these conditions are related to his service or any event during service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of the claim for service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST). The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, remains pending and will be readjudicated after completion of the requested development.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition pre-existed service and was not aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and instructions were not followed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is now pending again.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the service connection claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety). The Veteran's hypertension is not considered to be related to his military service, as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after discharge. For the anxiety claim, a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if it had its onset during service or is due to service exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional information. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for seizure disorder and acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral foot disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular conditions, low back condition, type II diabetes mellitus, and schizophrenia due to insufficient medical nexus evidence. The Veteran contends these conditions are secondary to his service-connected substance abuse disorder.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), right hand disorders, left hand disorders, left foot disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, and right leg disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's claim for dizzy spells is also being remanded.