Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. Service connection is now established for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), seizures, and obstructive sleep apnea.,However, the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an increased rating for a right shoulder disorder due to inadequate examination results, specifically failing to provide range of motion testing in active and passive motions as well as weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions. The Veteran is to be scheduled for another VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia, as well as tinnitus. The rating for bronchial asthma was restored to 30 percent effective May 1, 2019.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, lung disorder, and nasal disorder are not supported by the evidence of record. The Board has also found that a remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the potential relationship between the appellant's nasal disorders and her period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder(s). The Veteran's statements regarding in-service personal assaults are also being considered.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition separate from his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for OSA, secondary to service-connected PTSD, is granted based on the Veteran's long-standing snoring and obesity history.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left and right ankle disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded to schedule VA examinations and conduct further development before deciding these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient notice and development, particularly regarding his claim for PTSD based on in-service personal assault. The cervical pain claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine, cervical spine, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The right knee increased rating claim is also being remanded.,The Veteran's TDIU request is inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a second TDIU based on one service-connected disability, finding that his employment was not marginal solely due to his psychiatric disorder and other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and new information not previously considered.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU from September 28, 2012 is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to September 28, 2012.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back condition, and left knee arthralgia have been granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's seizures and resulting back disability are granted, while the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, sleep apnea, pulmonary disability (including asthma), and psychiatric disability are all remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a pulmonary disability, and a psychiatric disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability is remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine its etiology. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is also remanded due to the need for an opinion regarding whether service aggravated any pre-existing condition.,The right wrist disability, sleep apnea, and pulmonary disability (including asthma) claims are all remanded because of the need for further examination and evidence.

The Veteran's right hand condition, including osteopenia and limitation of motion, is related to service. The Board finds the in-service complaints and treatment consistent with current disability.,There is no credible evidence that the Veteran developed depression during or immediately after service due to participation in military aircraft crash and salvage recovery activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia bipolar type and major depressive disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressor or sexual assault, nor could it establish a nexus between current psychiatric disorders and active service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but remanded the psychiatric disability claim. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (remanded) while others were denied.