Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding records and a need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been granted. The initial rating of 50 percent effective November 25, 2015, was appropriate, and a higher initial rating is not warranted during this time period.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted with an initial 70 percent rating effective June 3, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, and for schizophrenia to establish eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, chronic anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)), type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for low back disability is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted after the RO's adjudication, and an additional VA medical opinion is needed regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disability, bilateral knee disability, left foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability are still under review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back condition, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and hypertension due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder was dismissed due to his request to withdraw the claim. The appeals for service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and left knee disability. The claim for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported in-service stressor.,Further research into the suicide of a sailor aboard U.S.S. Hunley (AS-31) in July 1990 will be conducted, and a new VA examination will be scheduled to assess any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's alcohol use disorder and its relation to service-connected tinnitus. The case needs further clarification on whether the Veteran's alcohol use disorder preexisted service or was aggravated by it, and if so, whether it is related to his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied the claim of service connection for a jaw disorder. The Veteran's appeal regarding the jaw disorder was withdrawn prior to decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for psychiatric, cervical spine, ulcer, right upper extremity (carpal tunnel syndrome), left upper extremity (carpal tunnel syndrome), right lower extremity (tarsal tunnel syndrome), and left lower extremity (tarsal tunnel syndrome) disabilities. These claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been found to be related to his military service, and thus granted.,Bilateral hearing loss was not shown during service or post-service, and is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety, is granted as service connected. Her alcohol use disorder in early remission is also granted. Service connection for multiple personality disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including his right shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder, skeletal arthritis, and skin condition. The decision is based on the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance of another person, nor were they sufficient to qualify for SMC based on housebound status or the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of July 27, 2012. The right foot sprain rating is denied. A temporary total rating for left knee surgery is granted from August 22, 1990 to November 1, 1990. Chronic constipation is rated at 10 percent effective July 12, 2012. Limitation of flexion of the left and right knees are denied. The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is granted. Service connection for hypertension is remanded.