Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to deficiencies in the examination reports and lack of clarity regarding the criteria used by the examiners.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcers are granted a 40% rating, effective January 6, 2002. The previously denied claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia) is reopened and the claim is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic back condition during or after service. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was also denied due to the absence of regular aid and assistance needs.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has found the Veteran's claims of residuals from a traumatic brain injury and psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) not supported by evidence, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for Guillain-Barre Syndrome and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded for a VA examination, while his TDIU claim remains inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, is remanded due to conflicting information regarding his character of discharge during a period of honorable active service. The Board requires further investigation into the records to determine if this period should be considered honorable.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for a psychiatric disability, as of December 1, 2015, to January 18, 2021, and prior to December 1, 2015. The reasons include missing documents and the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and tinnitus are granted. The claim for service connection for left knee disorder, frostbite of bilateral lower extremities, including a right toe is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during or related to his military service.,There were no in-service complaints, treatment records, or diagnoses of either condition. The Veteran did not provide credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a sinus condition due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability and insufficient lay or medical evidence to suggest that any sinus symptoms reached a level of functional impairment of earning capacity.,The Board also denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding no treatment or symptoms for a psychiatric disability during service or within the first year after separation from service.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for schizophrenia, a cervical spine disability, a lumbar spine disability, hearing loss, and PTSD. The claim for service connection for gout remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates due to missing records from November 1973 to January 1992. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the lumbar disability claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, particularly Social Security Administration (SSA) records and treatment records from VA and private sources. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being reviewed with these additional records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further review.

The Veteran's schizophrenia resulted in total occupational and social impairment from April 25, 2007 to March 17, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU during this period.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of error in fact or law.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and other specified disorder was granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, drug abuse, left hip disability, right knee disability, and right foot pes planus were dismissed or remanded as appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, scar removal of cyst on buttocks, squamous cell carcinoma, back disability, and epididymitis have been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) has also been denied.,However, the claim for a back disability was reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial.