Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, mesothelioma, and cataracts have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's death by suicide was determined to be due to a service-connected mental disorder, which the Board found contributed substantially or materially to his death.

All issues related to service connection have been either granted in full or finally denied by the Board without subsequent appeal.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for insomnia as it is considered a symptom of the Veteran's already service-connected psychiatric disorder. The issue of evaluating the right ankle disorder was remanded, and thus the decision on this aspect remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, left carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and lumbar spine disorder were denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his eye disability and mental health condition, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for temporary total ratings based on treatment for a service-connected psychiatric disability are denied as the treatment did not require surgery or casting, and the claims were filed more than one year after the cessation of the treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, peripheral neuropathy, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and headache disorder are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral eye condition, and vertigo due to outstanding treatment records and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was initially granted service connection and rated at 30 percent from August 23, 2016. A temporary 100 percent rating was assigned for hospitalization from November 7, 2017 to December 1, 2017. The case is now before the Board on appeal of a May 2017 decision awarding an increased rating to 50 percent effective August 23, 2016.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability and a need for a VA examination.

Service connection for schizophrenia was restored, effective from September 1, 2016. Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was also restored.,The Veteran's claim seeking Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) on the basis of need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, a left shoulder disorder, a breathing disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for residuals of a left finger injury is dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support its onset during service or within one year after separation.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) is remanded. The Board requires VA to attempt to corroborate in-service stressors and provide a medical examination to determine if the condition is related to service.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of traumatic brain injury (claimed as a head injury) is remanded. A medical examination is required to determine if his current symptoms are related to an in-service head injury.,The Veteran's claim for a bilateral eye disability is remanded. The VA must provide a medical examination to determine if the condition is related to service and/or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for muscle pain. Service connection is granted for left shoulder disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, but the claims are remanded for further development regarding right shoulder, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The cases for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD), and lumbar strain are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, was dismissed. The claims for higher ratings related to his right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and left knee strain were remanded.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis disability is rated at 50 percent from June 3, 2020. The appeal for a greater than 10 percent rating prior to that date was denied.