Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 70% rating for his psychiatric disability is denied. The Board found that there was no factually ascertainable increase in severity of the Veteran's psychiatric disability warranting a 70% rating in the year prior to December 12, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU from December 12, 2018 is granted. The Board found that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise etiologically related to active-duty service. The Board denied the claim as there is no probative evidence linking the current psychiatric disorder to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining updated VA treatment records and for obtaining records from the Vet Center in Chicago Heights, IL. The issues are whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PSTD and entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for a respiratory disability and PTSD due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to constipation, and the right wrist scars were not painful or unstable. The TDIU claim was remanded due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, coronary artery disease, and left knee disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran's arthritis, fatigue, respiratory disorder, sinusitis, penile implant, gall bladder removal, skin disorder, and digestive disorder appeals were dismissed.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor is granted as service connection due to a finding of reasonable doubt in his favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded due to the need to verify stressors and obtain a VA examination.,Service connection for COPD is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to asbestos and obtain a VA examination.,Service connection for polycythemia vera is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to ionizing radiation and obtain a dose estimate.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to ionizing radiation and obtain a dose estimate.,Service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. His initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis prior to April 17, 2013, and his rating of 40 percent or higher from that date onwards were also denied. However, he received separate compensable ratings (10%) for left knee symptomatic semilunar cartilage prior to October 19, 2010, and for left knee instability.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The claim for COPD was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran before a decision could be made. The claim for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence linking any current psychiatric condition to service.

Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's OSA claim is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, left upper extremity radiculopathy with carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity radiculopathy with carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome are all denied. The Board found no evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disorder and other physical conditions, are considered to be of sufficient severity to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders did not begin during service or are otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot, left foot, and right ankle disorders are not related to his military service.,The Board also found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA was granted, and the secondary service connection for obesity associated with PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical records from SSA.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was granted a disability rating of 70 percent from July 2, 2021 to April 28, 2022.,After April 28, 2022, the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not permanently aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to attend VA examinations and for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted, and his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied.