Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded all service connection claims for the Veteran due to duty-to-assist errors and other procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected major depression due to chronic pain with anxiety disorder warranted a 70 percent disability rating as of October 11, 2016. The effective date for this increased rating is set at October 11, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and low back condition have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death prior to a final decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral foot disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for a temporary total rating for PTSD based on hospitalization.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is remanding these issues due to insufficient evidence.,Further examination and evaluation are needed to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (depression) is caused by his chronic pain from his service-connected back and knee disabilities, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disability, and a right hip disability have been denied as there is no evidence to support the contention that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and incomplete record, requiring further development including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination and determine the presence, nature, and etiology of any found psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a respiratory condition (including COPD and asthma) and a psychiatric disability (PTSD). The Veteran's treatment records from Thundermist Health Center and Fatima Hospital need to be obtained, and an appropriate VA examination is required if these records show current diagnoses of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions including TBI, shoulder disability, arm disability, low back disability, and psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence or conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and a dental condition due to missing VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including whether they are caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's asthma, tinnitus, and related conditions are now service-connected. The Board has determined that additional examinations and remands are necessary for further analysis of the remaining issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis and a psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's left Achilles tendon rupture and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including failure to consider the theory of aggravation and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral foot disorder, ankle disorder, headaches, and psychiatric disorder are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ must schedule VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed conditions and adjudicate his TDIU claim on the merits.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding several issues, including the effective dates and initial ratings for acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea.