Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions during and after service, including his incarceration. The Veteran is required to provide information about any arrests or incarcerations from prior to service and into the present day.

The Board has granted the challenge to the propriety of the overpayment in the amount of $21,851 and dismissed the claim for a waiver of this debt.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, is related to service. The preexisting condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted. However, the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's back condition is rated at a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of his claim. His acquired mental disorder (including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) is rated at a 70 percent rating, also effective from the date of his claim.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a skin rash on the right ankle and granted it. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and hypertension are remanded due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was denied, as the evidence did not support symptoms consistent with a higher rating. The claim for TDIU prior to March 7, 2022, was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not rendering him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, low back disorder, and radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including PTSD and psychiatric conditions, sleep apnea, migraines, prostate cancer, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. The reasons for these remands include inadequate VA opinions and inextricably intertwined service connection theories.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for recognition of his son, R.W. III, as an adult dependent due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to age 18 based on evidence showing he was permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defects prior to reaching the age of 18.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss need further review due to outstanding VA treatment records and a previous examination being invalid.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service exposure to herbicide agents and the need for additional medical opinions on various musculoskeletal conditions, liver condition, bladder cancer, chronic kidney disease, respiratory condition, and colon condition.

The Board has remanded the cases of schizophrenia and bilateral pes planus for further development due to the Veteran's homelessness and inability to be contacted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, which may be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for schizophrenia was granted, and the claim is now reopened. The denial of PTSD and diabetes mellitus service connection remains unchanged.,PTSD service connection was denied due to lack of a confirmed diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to in-service events.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and PTSD, have been dismissed due to the failure to appeal the January 2021 Board decision.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not rated higher than 20 percent.