Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.,The Veteran's inferred claim for TDIU is also being remanded as there are outstanding documents from Hartford Insurance and T-Mobile that need to be obtained.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to readjudicate the claims for service connection of a low back condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder and anxiety), and left ear hearing loss. However, the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes in any of these cases.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand/wrist condition, a left Achilles tendon condition, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions arose during or as a result of his military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran lacks the mental capacity to handle his VA benefits, including managing disbursements. The decision is based on evidence showing significant psychiatric symptoms and a history of hospitalizations for psychotic episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between the condition and active duty service.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for PTSD and GERD, as well as the increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded to obtain an adequate etiology opinion.

The Veteran's home loan guaranty benefits claim is being remanded due to the need for a decision on her service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The home loan guaranty benefits claim will be reconsidered after this issue is resolved.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral knee, hip, and foot disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied. The case for hepatitis C is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and tinnitus have been denied.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran's mild exostoses of first metatarsal right foot or left foot.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the decision regarding the Veteran's stressors and failure to address the adequacy of the VA examination. The case will be returned for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records from before 2003 and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of VA psychiatric opinions and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's schizophrenia at the time of his death and his ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

The claims of service connection for vision impairment, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right foot disability, and bilateral leg disability are not reopened. The claim of service connection for sleep disorder (OSA and/or insomnia) is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship with service. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded. The claim of service connection for hypotension is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including failing to contact the Veteran for VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their relationship to his claimed conditions need further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate as he does not have anatomical loss of both feet, one hand and one foot, or blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity. Additionally, his condition is not so severe that it requires assistance from another person to attend to daily activities.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the appellant's withdrawal request.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are rated at a 70 percent initial evaluation, effective April 20, 2016. The Board also granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate and remanded for further consideration of SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection, but his erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's back, psychiatric disabilities, hip, shoulder, knee, and other conditions.