Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining claims over which the Board may exercise jurisdiction.,Claims for left hip replacement and hepatitis C have been reopened, while hypertension remains denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing service treatment records and verify the Veteran's military service. The Veteran's left knee disability will also be examined by a VA examiner.

Service connection granted for an adjustment disorder with depressed mood and denied for left shoulder arthritis. The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability began during service, while his current left shoulder condition is not related to in-service symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depression, a back disability, and a skin disorder other than pseudofolliculitis barbae due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder and bilateral hearing loss were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The claim for service connection for left eye disorder was reopened, but not granted as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no legal authority to assign such a date, given that the RO has already assigned the earliest possible effective date.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder (variously diagnosed as major depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder).,Increased SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ claim is denied.

The Board has found that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service. The claims for sinusitis, ear condition (including vertigo and Meniere's disease), and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Board has denied an initial rating greater than 20 percent for right shoulder strain and has remanded the issues of service connection for knee disorders, OSA, diabetes, and a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been granted. The appeal regarding entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and a lumbar spine disability, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence linking them to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between his in-service experiences and his current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a skin condition was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request for service connection.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorders, was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are found to be caused by military stressors. Service connection is also granted for plantar fasciitis and OSA, with the latter being secondary to service-connected deviated septum and chronic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), back condition, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has been reopened due to new evidence.,The Veteran's TBI claim is denied as there is no credible evidence linking his current CVA to in-service head injuries.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 30 percent for his bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational or social impairment, which is required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's hepatitis is denied as it was not caused by VA treatment.,The Veteran's low back disability, hypertension, heart disability and residual of stroke disability are all denied due to lack of service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, GAD, MDD, and a respiratory condition including asthma.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with anxiety and depression, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with muscle spasms, cervical spine, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and left lower extremity varicose veins are all granted. The service connection is determined to be direct.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for TDIU, increased rating for psychiatric disorder prior to June 27, 2022, and service connection for thyroid condition. The claims are dismissed.