Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD, as well as the TDIU claim due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's stressor history needs to be verified, and his mental health treatment records need to be obtained from VA and Social Security Administration.

The appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is granted. Service connection for a personality disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not adequately address all of the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding spinal disorders and psychiatric conditions. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a TDIU prior to June 12, 2018 and from June 12, 2018 to August 11, 2020. The decision found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during these periods.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disabilities, a full body rash, a stomach disability, and a right wrist disability have been dismissed. The previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted.,The previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred on November 28, 2015, at St. Peter's Hospital was denied because the VA facility (Fort Harrison Emergency Room) was feasibly available and prior authorization was not obtained.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to the conditions listed, including ratings and service connection claims. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Veteran's PTSD and other specified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders have been rated at 50% prior to August 23, 2017, and at 70% thereafter. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder prior to July 2, 2021 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder after July 2, 2021 is remanded due to lack of recent medical evidence and the possibility of worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, while the PTSD and prostate cancer residuals claims were dismissed. The TDIU and initial rating claims are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and sleep apnea. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further examinations. The Veteran's participation in mixed martial arts while in service is a possible factor, but more evidence is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a vision disorder, and residuals of a shrapnel wound, claiming as a right leg injury. The reasons include inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his military service and mental health history.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for a back disability is granted, and service connection for the same is also granted. A 70 percent rating for service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is granted from November 16, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for psychiatric disability, TBI, and left thigh and tibia disorder have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for respiratory disorder and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for a respiratory disorder (including asthma and allergic rhinitis with hay fever) and reopened claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim.

The Board has determined that additional development and examination are needed for the issues on appeal due to outstanding private treatment records, worsening symptoms of GERD, and assertions regarding undiagnosed illnesses. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including schizophrenia. The case is remanded for further development and examination to determine if any of these conditions had their onset during active service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date of November 25, 1996 for the grant of an increased rating for his left shoulder disability and for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his psychiatric disability are being remanded due to procedural issues.,The Court found that the submission of VA hospitalization records constituted new and material evidence related to the Veteran's original April 1, 1982 claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability. The Board must consider this in relation to whether an earlier effective date is warranted.