Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding service stressors and the need for additional medical opinions. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence and missed VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling further medical evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia has rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy was denied, and the Board granted TDIU effective from September 26, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide private treatment records, and a VA examination will be scheduled to address her claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a grenade explosion during service and thus no in-service event to link his current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's mental health disability was rated at 30 percent prior to May 23, 2016, and denied a higher rating. From May 24, 2016 to May 1, 2018, the Veteran was rated at 70 percent, also denied. After that date, she was rated at 50 percent, again denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines as there was a full grant of benefits in a September 2022 rating decision.,The case is remanded for further development regarding an initial compensable disability rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits was remanded, and no rating or effective date has been assigned.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, larynx disorder, respiratory disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for undifferentiated schizophrenia. The Veteran's claims were reopened based on new evidence but the Board found no causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his bilateral foot disabilities, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted ratings, with the irritable bowel syndrome receiving a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if any psychiatric disorder is related to service, including exposure at Camp LeJeune. The personality disorder claim is denied as it is not a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral dysfunction, service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, psychiatric disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded as the examiner did not address whether in-service elevated blood pressure readings could have been an early manifestation of later diagnosed hypertension.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is remanded because the VA examiner did not consider objective signs and symptoms of his left knee complaints, including a history of left knee sprain from employee health clinic records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded as the VA examiner did not address the Veteran's VA treatment records which show treatment for adjustment disorder, depression, and anxiety during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded due to incomplete medical records from his private podiatrist being sought.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded as VA treatment records are needed to determine if an audiogram conducted by the Veteran's private physician, Dr. N.A.O., around April 2010 exists.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches from September 22, 2014 is remanded as updated employment records are needed to determine missed time due to migraines and the Social Security Administration records have not been obtained.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as his July 2020 Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability raised this issue.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for each condition were inadequate and remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's service records contain numerous complaints of ankle, knee, and foot pain. She underwent VA examinations in July 2020 where diagnoses of bilateral tibia stress fracture, bilateral ankle strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis were found.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient research into the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor event. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and the issue was previously denied by the RO and then by the Board. The VA needs to verify the event that allegedly occurred during his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder manifested by chronic sleep impairment is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee, hip, and low back disorders.,Service connection for a groin disability is denied as there is no separate disability found.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and TBI, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance. The issues are also inextricably intertwined with the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.