Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea). The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.,The Board found no current diagnosis of a sleep disorder in the medical records. It also noted that there was no positive opinion linking the Veteran's diabetes and psychiatric disorders to his active service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to the Veteran's right thumb disability, acquired psychiatric disability, left and right shoulder disabilities, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, neck disability, allergic rhinitis, and headache disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his in-service experiences and his current condition.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.,Service connection is also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder, likely PTSD, as the Veteran's statements regarding onset are inconsistent with medical records.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder was granted a 70 percent rating effective December 1, 2008, and the prior 10 percent rating is being granted as retroactive to March 21, 2008.,An increased rating of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder from December 1, 2008, onward is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations. The matter is being returned for further action.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including effective date determinations and rating decisions. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are granted. The acquired psychiatric condition claim is remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for Raynaud's disease and its secondary conditions due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding whether the condition preexisted service.

The Board has denied service connection for a headache disorder due to the absence of current diagnosis. The claims for low back, chronic kidney condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbosacral degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, right elbow degenerative joint disease, and others, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective August 13, 2021.

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of a left knee disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and left knee scars. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was reopened based on new evidence but denied as there is no clear and unmistakable aggravation by military service.

The Veteran's earlier effective date claim for a 100% rating for adjustment disorder with depressed mood (psychiatric disorder) is denied as the evidence does not show an ascertainable increase in severity of the disability prior to May 12, 2017.,The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and mild gastritis are reopened due to new and material evidence. However, these claims remain denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's service from October 1988 to July 1996, as there are no records detailing his reserve service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues are whether he had an acquired psychiatric disorder or cervical spine disability during his active duty.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection, including those for seizures, loss of bladder control (urinary tract condition), hemorrhoids, psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, residuals of left Achilles tendon tear, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and stress fractures of both feet. The decision also addressed whether the Veteran's character of discharge is a bar to VA compensation benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically mood disorder. The Veteran is to be provided a new VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric diagnoses are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep disturbances, and hemorrhoids. The appeal for service connection of a sleep apnea is remanded.