Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's psychiatric disability was rated at 50 percent prior to June 22, 2016. From June 22, 2016, the rating increased to 70 percent.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability from September 23, 2010 to August 30, 2017. Additionally, the Board has also granted entitlement to TDIU during this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected left leg disabilities caused his alcohol use and/or cannabis use disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a valid diagnosis and the weight of the medical evidence does not support a finding that her current condition is related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded because a medical opinion is required regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, headache disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability due to delays in scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's failure to report for these examinations is being addressed.

The Board has determined that additional evidence needs to be considered and the claims are being remanded for further review.

The Board has identified new evidence that was not previously considered and requires the AOJ to review this evidence before making a decision on your claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, heart disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder, have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, has been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder outside of alcohol use disorder. Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not establish a link between the claimed conditions and service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and right upper extremity neuropathy due to lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed stressors in service and insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depression, is granted as service-connected. Night blindness and urinary frequency are denied as not related to service or any other compensable basis. Hernia complications are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a right wrist disability, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is remanded. Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied as the evidence did not establish a causal nexus between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a colon disorder, including colonic polyps, has been denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for hypertension was granted based on the PACT Act effective from August 10, 2022.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, thoracic cage blood clots, erectile dysfunction (secondary to prostate cancer), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to insufficient evidence of an in-service stressor. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders, was granted.,Service connection for chronic otitis externa was denied as there is no evidence of frequent and prolonged treatment required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence in their favor. The Veteran is required to provide additional records, including service treatment records from his honorable period of service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's paranoid schizophrenia on a presumptive basis, as it was diagnosed and manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's hearing loss and psychiatric disorder claims are remanded for further development. The decision on hearing loss is to deny a compensable rating, while the psychiatric disorder claim requires additional evidence.