Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service. The Board has also remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection, with effective dates prior to October 31, 2012.,Obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has ordered a new VA medical opinion to address the Veteran's alcohol use disorder and its relation to service, as well as whether it is related to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings for a headache disorder and PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and research into his claimed stressors. The Veteran is also seeking a higher disability rating for his left thumb condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an in-service stressor for PTSD, and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The Veteran's claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, head injury, and headaches due to incomplete records. The Veteran's STRs are missing, and the Board is directing further development including obtaining medical records from Uzbekistan and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is now pending with a request for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; back disability; right knee disability; left knee disability; and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the scope of the claim is expanded to include other acquired psychiatric disabilities. A VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including stomach ulcers, prostate cancer residuals, anxiety and panic attacks, arthritis of the lower back, vision problems, umbilical hernia, high blood pressure, bilateral hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis of the knees. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD (bipolar disorder) was denied. A rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted effective July 15, 2014. The claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to October 28, 2016 and from that date are both denied.

The claims of service connection for liver disorder, hypertension, heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and left testicle disorder are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses and potential in-service events will be evaluated.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is no evidence linking the condition to active duty service or any known clinical diagnosis.

The Veteran was granted a Total Disability Rating for Employment (TDIU) prior to December 29, 2016 due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The Board found that the Veteran's employment during this period was marginal and did not meet the criteria for substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of recent examination and interview of the Veteran, and will attempt again to obtain an examination for a determination on service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, left wrist condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and headache condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA examiner is requested to address the Veteran's lay testimony of having experienced symptoms in service and since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right wrist, ankle, knee, hip, left knee, back, sciatica, and psychiatric disorders are all denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.