Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection have been denied.,Effective dates prior to the dates of receipt of the initial claims are not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a mental health condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions. The Veteran's low back, right and left knee, right foot, and left foot disorders are all in question, as is his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for various conditions. The RO must obtain private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to address these issues.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression). The RO must develop evidence related to these claims and provide appropriate VA examinations.,The Veteran's left knee disabilities are also at issue. The RO must obtain private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for another VA examination to assess his current disability levels.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded as it involves a different legal theory than service connection claims.,The Veteran's left knee disabilities are also at issue. The RO must obtain private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for another VA examination to assess his current disability levels.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded as it involves a different legal theory than service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, a psychiatric disorder (anxiety), sarcoidosis, squamous cell carcinoma (cancer of the head and neck), residuals of a tonsillectomy, scar status post thoracotomy, right ear hearing loss, and right shoulder disability due to in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to potential service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as a secondary complication of service-connected prostate cancer residuals. The Veteran's wife testified about his emotional changes after his prostate cancer diagnosis, and VA treatment records indicate he received treatment for adjustment disorders related to stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a schizophreniform disorder is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. The Board requests additional opinions from VA examiners regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including whether they preexisted service or are otherwise related to active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for neck and back disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and for a compensable disability rating for early bilateral eye cataracts. Additional VA medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current diagnoses.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder, is granted service connection. Service connection for a sleep disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU rating is dismissed as moot due to the assignment of a total disability evaluation. The appeals for increased ratings for low back and radiculopathy disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for alopecia and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as secondary to and/or aggravated by service-connected photodermatitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to incomplete information and outstanding VA medical records. The AOJ is instructed to request updated employment history from the Veteran, obtain any relevant treatment records, and readjudicate the case.

The Board has found that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic depression. The case will be remanded for an in-person VA PTSD examination and a determination on whether service connection should be granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for compensation for Dupuytren's contracture and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition.,Service connection was also denied for a joint condition (fibromyalgia), vertigo, sinus condition, headache condition (migraines), and gastrointestinal disability (GERD and hiatal hernia).

The Veteran's gastritis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating.,Prior to December 11, 2019, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for his insomnia. From December 11, 2019 to May 27, 2021, he received a 70 percent rating. After that date, an increased rating is denied.,The low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since the appeal period began and remains unchanged.,The Veteran's right leg radiculopathy was not granted any increase in rating, while left leg radiculopathy received a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's mental competency to handle VA benefits was found lacking, and restoration of competency is denied.