Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during active service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, bipolar disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and coronary occlusion resulting in acute angina with respiratory problems (heart disability).,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition related to the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and the need to verify in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to a TDIU, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ankle condition, hip condition, tinnitus, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), need further investigation. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's reported stressor and obtain outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no current non-PTSD psychiatric disability and attributing all symptoms to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that his current condition is related to his active service and resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

Service connection is granted for left hand arthritis and right hand arthritis.,Service connection is denied for hypertension, claimed as high blood pressure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include panic attacks and an anxiety disorder as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea disorder, and headache disorder are found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected knee disability. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's headaches and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's upper gastrointestinal disorder, tinnitus, right foot neuritis, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted service connection based on exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia. The other claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a formal TDIU application and consideration of additional VA evidence. The issues of increased rating for acquired psychiatric disability and entitlement to TDIU remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a low back condition and a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional records. The case will be reviewed again with new evidence obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, SSA decision information, and a VA examination to determine if the appellant was insane at the time of his misconduct in service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran did not require such assistance prior to November 9, 2012.

The Veteran's right wrist disability claim is remanded due to the need for a new examination.,The Veteran's PTSD and sleep disorder claims are remanded as they may be related to service or her right wrist disability.,The Veteran's exposure to generator gas fumes claim is remanded to determine if there is a qualifying chronic disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric condition was granted in full. The lower back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy claims were partially resolved, with some issues being granted higher ratings while others remained denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right eye disability and acquired psychiatric disability (secondary to right eye disability) need further examination and evaluation. The case is being sent back to VA for a new examination, including electrophysiologic testing, to determine if there are any current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for scar, status post spinal fusion, was dismissed. The claim of residuals of head trauma (claimed as dental trauma) has been reopened and is currently under consideration. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroenteritis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), respiratory disorder (recurrent aspiration pneumonia), cardiac disorder (atherosclerosis), acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of head trauma, facial scars, bilateral eye disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder (tendinitis), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral pes planus have been remanded for further review.