Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disability is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability. The case will be returned for a new examination and opinions on causation and aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between their current condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disability is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's TBI is granted as service-connected, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The appeal for service connection of a left hand disability is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have current hearing loss to a degree that qualifies as a ratable disability. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, knee, and hip disabilities due to potential aggravation by pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a disability manifested by right eye blindness and an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously claimed as depression. The Veteran's current right eye blindness is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. For the psychiatric claim, further examination is needed to determine if there are any other diagnosed conditions related to service or secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, evaluation of left knee disability, and evaluation of lumbar strain. The TDIU claim will be remanded as well.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, somatic symptom disorder, major depression disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, was denied. The Veteran's cellulitis of the left lower extremity is also denied as not warranting a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient development or medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further medical inquiry due to previous actions and appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 29, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and clarification of evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and rating for right thumb ankylosis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but further development is needed to address the merits of the claim due to conflicting medical opinions and new symptoms.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to unclear employment information and the need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide a detailed statement of his employment history, including income details and how service-connected disabilities affect his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder does not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and therefore the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of a skin disability, right foot pain, left foot pain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for back disability, psychiatric disability (PTSD), right knee disability, left knee disability, headache disability, and esophageal disability. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to need for additional development and examination.

Service connection for chronic paranoid schizophrenia and sleep apnea, claimed as secondary to chronic paranoid schizophrenia, is granted.,A 10 percent rating, but not greater, for a fracture of the right third finger prior to May 18, 2017, is granted. A compensable rating for a fracture of the right fourth finger and laceration of the liver are denied.