Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for psychiatric disability and left shoulder disability due to new evidence provided by a buddy statement. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD based on witnessing an attack, but there is no confirmation of proximity or involvement in search and rescue operations. For the left shoulder disability, additional medical records are needed to substantiate continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to December 3, 2016. The reason is that the Board did not analyze whether the Veteran engaged in marginal employment prior to December 3, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left leg numbness is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for prostate cancer is remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation based on the cessation of active treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain relevant medical records and provide an updated VA examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is being considered on a new-and-material basis, as her claim was previously denied due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for HIV has been reopened and granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability to include an adjustment disorder and anxiety is related to his service-connected HIV disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mood disorders, depression, and personality disorder is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an in-service occurrence of stressors leading to PTSD or other psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of the TDIU claim is remanded due to its inextricability with the earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The RO must issue a SOC addressing both issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to new evidence and testimony.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not total impairment. A rating in excess of 30 percent for the psychiatric disorder prior to March 16, 2022 and in excess of 70 percent from that date onwards is denied.,Service connection for OSA is granted as it was caused by obesity resulting from a service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea due to a lack of VA examination, incomplete development of stressor allegations, and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues related to acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and diabetes is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The rating for hemorrhoids remains noncompensable, but the issue of entitlement to a higher rating is remanded. Service connection for back disability and PTSD are also remanded due to insufficient evidence. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder pre-existed service and was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim was previously denied and not reopened. The psychiatric disability claim, including schizophrenia, was reopened due to new evidence but the original service connection denial remains.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete opinions and need for additional development. The issues include psychiatric disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's dermatitis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board does not find any evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate examination. The Veteran's service periods need clarification, and all relevant records must be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disability, diverticulitis, hypertension, and respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and dental disability are all denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.