Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's in-service stressors and outstanding service treatment records. The AOJ is directed to conduct additional development including obtaining STRs, verifying stressor incidents, and reviewing unit histories.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran, which relates to his PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 70 percent for his service-connected psychiatric disorder was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 27, 2021, for the award of a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disorder was also denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 27, 2021, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow residuals, acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified trauma disorder/PTSD), low back disability, gastrointestinal disability, and Hepatitis B. The Veteran's claim for hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including emotional instability reaction (CDA) and anxiety and depression is granted to this limited extent.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability is also granted to this limited extent.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and sleep apnea due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran was not afforded a VA examination or provided adequate medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's heart disability, chest pain(s), and asthma are not service-connected as they did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression, mental stress, worry, and/or mental health) is also not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to February 3, 2020 due to insufficient evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions from the December 2018 VA examiners. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, and gastrointestinal disorder are all being reviewed for their relationship to service.

The Board has denied service connection for paranoid schizophrenia as the evidence does not show a nexus to active duty or ACDUTRA, and instead links it to pre-service substance abuse.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) is granted service connection, and an increased disability rating of 40 percent for left ankle degenerative joint disease is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including memory loss, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, is being reviewed again as his contentions of in-service exposure to chemicals/paint fumes are credible. Sleep apnea is also under review with a request for an opinion on whether it is secondary to service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA examination, and the Veteran's hearing loss makes it difficult for him to understand telehealth interviews. The issue is being sent back for another in-person mental health examination.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was denied service connection as there is no evidence linking it to his active service.,From December 27, 2012, to October 29, 2019, the Veteran's schizophrenia resulted in persistent hallucinations and warranted a 100% rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and related conditions are granted. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents during service, which supports his claims for these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including failure to obtain relevant medical records and provide a thorough examination. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder. The decision is based on evidence that her in-service sexual assault contributed to her current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period on appeal prior to May 29, 2015.