Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was granted an initial rating of 50 percent from December 15, 2014 to December 13, 2021. From December 14, 2021 onwards, the Veteran is denied a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his active duty service. The Board finds that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's current asthma is related to his active duty service and remands this issue for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of the IBS rating has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression and anxiety.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding potential exposure to herbicide agents during service in Panama. The Veteran's claims for various conditions are now pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a seizure disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development, including a lack of an in-person examination or expert opinion based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and a lumbosacral strain associated with trigger points/muscle spasms (lumbar spine disability) due to issues regarding service connection, secondary service connection, and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has vacated the August 25, 2022 decision and remanded both claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and cirrhosis of the liver due to new evidence submitted after the July 2014 rating decisions.

New and relevant evidence has been received for the service connection claims of an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder, a thoracolumbar spine disorder, a left ankle disorder, and anal cancer. These claims are being readjudicated.,Service connection is granted for a chronic thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding an initial increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, TMJ dysfunction, vertigo, hypertension, bilateral foot disability, migraine headaches, left hip and thigh disability, right hip and thigh disability, sleep apnea, and a low back disability. The Board has dismissed the appeal as withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination related to the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia. The examiner is requested to determine if these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; a neck disability; a left shoulder disability; and degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The evidence did not support the finding that these conditions had their onset during service or were otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking additional medical opinions to address the etiology of various conditions. The claims include service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ankle disabilities, erectile dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder prior to August 12, 2015 was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for duodenal ulcers was also denied. The medical evidence showed no active symptoms of the condition during this period.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to August 12, 2015 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities.

Your claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been granted in a September 2022 rating decision. As the appeal is based on a previously granted benefit, it is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability and acquired psychiatric disability due to concerns about proper notice of VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU prior to July 22, 2018 due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was denied. The appeal is also remanded for consideration of the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypercholesterolemia is denied as it does not represent a disability in and of itself.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain with spondylosis prior to October 22, 2019 and hypertension are remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to in-service events.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) and psychiatric disorder are remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to in-service events.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 100 percent, effective from July 26, 2021. The issues of service connection for heart disease, left shoulder disability, residuals of fibroid tumor, and low back disability are remanded.