Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's March 2021 Form 10182 was timely filed and will proceed with consideration of his claim. The Board also found that further development is needed to address whether sleep apnea was proximately caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability, specifically an acquired psychiatric disorder and rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and need for new VA medical opinions regarding her claimed orthopedic disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a low back condition due to duty to assist errors. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is related to personal assault during service, but he was not provided notice regarding this requirement. For his low back condition, VA treatment records from 2008 were not obtained, and the examiner did not address the Veteran's contention that his current lumbosacral strain is related to in-service lifting heavy objects.

The Board has vacated its decision that remanded the issue of TDIU and dismissed it, as the Board does not have jurisdiction over this claim.

The Board has found that new evidence was submitted and the claims are being remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer status post-prostatectomy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, left and right knee disabilities, and lumbar spine disability are all rated as per the criteria for their respective conditions. The acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is also rated appropriately.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residual scars of the right face and neck. His TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to his receipt of SMC.

The Board found the Veteran was insane at the time of his misconduct, lifting the regulatory bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, neck disability, and back disability have been granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tension headaches and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted a 50% rating from September 29, 2015. The appeal for increased ratings is denied, and the issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was rated at 30% from March 25, 2013 to August 30, 2023. From August 31, 2023, the rating was increased to 50%. The effective date for the 50% rating is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of right upper extremity neuropathy is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of psychiatric disability prior to July 30, 2014, is also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence, but the matter is remanded as additional development is needed to determine if service connection can be granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and heart problems. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability, erectile dysfunction, and low back disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder) and remanded the issues of service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine; bilateral arthralgias of the heels and ankles; and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's service connection for HIV was granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is remanded due to the need for proper notification regarding military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current diagnosis and his active-duty service.