Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than November 9, 2017, for the grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are denied as there is no service-connected condition prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, sinus condition due to Gulf War exposures, bilateral foot disability (fibromatosis and plantar fascitis), and throat disability (post-surgical removal of vocal cord polyps).,There is no evidence of pre-existing conditions or aggravation during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for psychiatric disorders and secondary service connection for hypertension, PVD, sleep apnea, and ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is being examined again as it may be related to his service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability due to the lack of evidence of current disability. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a TDIU rating were denied as there was no evidence of a factual increase in disability within one year prior to the February 25, 2015 claim.

The Veteran's claims for right submandibular adenitis, acne, and diverticulitis have been withdrawn. The claim for hypertension has also been withdrawn. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar spine disability are being remanded.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and ankle condition is dismissed.,An effective date prior to September 14, 2018, for the grant of service connection for IBS is denied.,The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, respiratory condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome are reopened. Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,The claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and respiratory condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for hydronephrosis is denied as there is no evidence of renal dysfunction or worsening in the one-year period prior to his claim.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied because the evidence does not establish that the condition first manifested during service and is due to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its decision, specifically regarding the appellant's long history of depression. The parties agree that further development is necessary for a supplemental opinion on the etiology of the current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, psychiatric disability (other specified trauma or stressor related disorder), chronic neck disability, chronic back disability, IBS, and vertigo is granted. The claims for service connection for the neck and back disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as there is no established service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the claims of secondary service connection for deep vein thrombosis and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the potential existence of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and an initial compensable rating for sinusitis due to new evidence and testimony presented during the September 2023 hearing. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current psychiatric symptoms, which he attributes to an in-service parachute accident. For the sinusitis claim, the Veteran reports worsening symptoms since the last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and right knee degenerative arthritis due to insufficient evidence. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than his already service-connected somatic symptom disorder and specifically denied service connection for PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's claimed PTSD is part of his service-connected somatic symptom disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and hip disabilities, as well as his psychiatric disorder, are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected back disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder, and a lumbar spine condition. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence of in-service injury or disease without any presumption.