Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorders and psychiatric conditions due to potential issues with service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and migraine headaches due to a lack of complete STRs. The Veteran's STRs are unavailable, but VA is required to assist in obtaining them.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a personality disorder was reopened and granted.,Service connection for atrial fibrillation is denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in service.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (previously claimed as a 'nervous condition') is allowed. The appeal is granted to that extent only, and both issues are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart condition, to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical examinations and potential incarceration issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, vascular disease of the lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a bilateral elbow condition is granted. The right hand condition is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition, left knee condition, and respiratory condition due to asbestos. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than schizophrenia) was granted.,Service connection for the right and left knee conditions is not supported by evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression), and lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The criteria for direct service connection have been met in all cases.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease was denied. The claim was granted on a presumptive basis under the Agent Orange Act of 1991, but the Board found that no earlier effective date could be assigned as there is no evidence showing the Veteran filed a claim within one year of his separation from active service in October 1967 or before May 3, 1989. The appeal for other conditions was also denied.

The Veteran's bladder cancer, acquired psychiatric disorder (persistent depressive disorder), atrial fibrillation with congested heart failure, and aortic aneurysm are all granted service connection as due to herbicide agent exposure during his Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate communication and need for a comprehensive psychiatric examination with someone present who knows the Veteran well.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis as a chronic respiratory condition is granted.,The claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for papillary bladder tumor residuals was dismissed. The petition to reopen his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, but the issues of service connection for drug and alcohol abuse as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder and drug and alcohol abuse are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of initial ratings for left foot arthritis and right ankle sprain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression. The reasons are that there were inadequate nexus opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's sleep apnea disorder was granted a 50% disability rating prior to October 1, 2020. A higher rating is denied since that date.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20% disability rating prior to May 7, 2018. A higher rating is denied since that date.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not warrant an initial compensable disability rating.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety) was granted a 70% disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and requests that he be given another opportunity to attend one.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right finger disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.