Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a scar on the left lower extremity as a residual of a tibial/shin laceration is granted. The claims for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and skin disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except the bilateral leg numbness and tingling claim has been dismissed. The headache, alcohol use disorder, cervical spine, and hip disability claims have been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU as it is now moot due to the earlier effective date granted in a corresponding Legacy decision. The Veteran's basic eligibility for dependents' educational assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35 was granted from March 23, 2011 to May 18, 2022.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right hip disorder, and a left hip disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating since March 23, 2011.,Effective March 23, 2011, the Veteran also received a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for fibromyalgia and TDIU for the period prior to February 14, 2003 has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder during the period from July 26, 2012, has been withdrawn. The matter is dismissed as there is no evidence that her service-connected conditions alone rendered her unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful course of employment.,The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder during the period prior to July 26, 2012, has been withdrawn. The matter is dismissed as there is no evidence that her service-connected conditions alone rendered her unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful course of employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence showing an in-service injury and hospitalization. The claims will be further evaluated with additional medical records and a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a new VA psychiatric and audiological examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantial gainful occupation prior to December 24, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a brain disability, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left leg varicose veins, right leg varicose veins, chronic hepatitis C, hyperthyroidism, acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), hypertension (HTN), cellulitis, and colon polyps due to a scheduling error preventing VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete service treatment records. The issues are related as they could significantly impact each other.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD with anxiety, is not related to service due to lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder and its impact on his ability to perform self-care.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated medical records. Issues include internal hemorrhoids, an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for right shoulder disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board denied a TDIU prior to April 30, 1980, as the Veteran's psychiatric disability did not meet the schedular criteria for total disability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the percentage standards set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and concluded that there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals from a bilateral foot surgery, and left leg nerve damage are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits, finding that his service-connected psychiatric disability did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 15, 2012.