Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that neither his service-connected epilepsy nor any acquired psychiatric disorder contributed substantially or materially to his immediate cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, right foot condition, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and cardiac disabilities were denied as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service exposures.,The Veteran's left foot disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety, and mood swings) were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status is denied because he does not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). He has a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent, but no additional disabilities rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder was granted. However, his claim for this condition remains denied.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is denied as there is no current diagnosis and it does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to PTSD or sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability due to incomplete development of his in-service mental health records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence or identify relevant records, and he will be provided with a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a personality disorder due to further development being required.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic paranoid schizophrenia is denied. The claims for service connection for PTSD, variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders (to include PTSD), right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, and tinnitus has been granted. The left forearm and hand disorder is denied as already compensated by the partial amputation. The acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) and a back disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a respiratory condition due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as generalized anxiety disorder). The Veteran's current right knee disability is not shown to be related to service, while his acquired psychiatric disorder was not found to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a disorder manifested by seizures, convulsions, and/or anxiety is being remanded due to missing service records and the need to clarify his diagnosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, hepatitis C, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). The claim of service connection for a skin disability is also remanded due to its inextricability with the hepatitis C claim. The Board found that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and acquired psychiatric disability are inadequate. The Board has instructed on remand that new VA examinations must be conducted with strict adherence to the provided instructions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to in-service events.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the impact of the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder on her employment, and for obtaining relevant private employment records from her former employers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right wrist disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant SSA records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left foot pain, back disability, hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and neurobehavioral effects related to chemical exposure. The claims for insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, migraines, right knee condition, left knee condition, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, and alcohol abuse are remanded due to the need for further examination and evidence collection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to a lack of compliance with duty-to-assist requirements, specifically regarding an examination under DSM-IV criteria.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the absence of a current disability. The claims for tinnitus, low back condition, right knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.