Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The appeals for service connection for hypothermia, hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and PTSD have been dismissed.,Service connection has been reopened for right foot cold injury, left foot cold injury, right hand cold injury, and left hand cold injury.

Service connection is granted for eczema, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder), erectile dysfunction as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle, medial epicondylitis of the right elbow, rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder, and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee.,The claims for service connection for residuals of Lyme's disease or related infectious disease and a TBI or other impairment of the brain as a result of a motor vehicle accident (MVA) are remanded.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU effective February 13, 2017. The AOJ subsequently awarded attorney fees to J.M. based on past-due benefits awarded in the November 2021 decision and effectuated in the November 2021 rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for headaches with a rating of 30 percent effective November 21, 2013. Attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the July 2020 rating decision are now payable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the weight of the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to active service.,Service connection for a bilateral eye disorder is also denied. The Veteran did not provide credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and post-service records do not show continuity of symptomatology since service.,The claim for service connection for a neck disorder is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine the etiology of the condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is also remanded. The Veteran's contention that he engaged in substance abuse and other misconduct to cope with mental health symptoms in service must be addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, disability rating, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to their inextricability with the character of discharge claim. The Appellant's mental health issues and eye disability are also being reviewed.

A 100 percent rating for schizophrenia is granted starting from March 11, 2004. The issue of TDIU prior to March 11, 2004 has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain outstanding medical records and for new VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder, right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence to establish a stressor related to his in-service training exercise. The current disability of PTSD is consistent with DSM-V criteria.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to ensure the Veteran's SSA records are obtained, as these records may contain information relating to his disabilities on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran will need to provide employment information, undergo a VA examination for his CAD, and receive a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for TBI residuals and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's in-patient psychiatric treatment lasting from March 7, 2021 to April 19, 2021 is considered a qualifying period for a temporary total evaluation due to the nature of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD was reopened in October 2017, leading to a grant of service connection effective June 1, 2016. The Board denied earlier effective dates.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as somatic symptom disorder, finding that it had its onset during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, headache condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for CAD from July 1, 2014, was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of right ear hearing loss was denied.,A TDIU was granted beginning December 1, 2021.,TDIU prior to December 1, 2021, remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric and joint disabilities are found to be at least as likely as not resulting in the need for regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on this need.