Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, and right ankle disability due to new evidence and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus were granted service connection, with a rating of 100% for the former from May 9, 2017 to September 21, 2020. The effective dates for these conditions are not established as requested by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for schizophrenia and the claim of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there is no evidence linking the current diagnosis to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection due to inadequate reasons or bases in previous decisions. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to assess his peripheral neuropathy and psychiatric conditions, and to provide information regarding stressors related to PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his claims for a headache disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include memory loss), sleep disorder, hypertension, left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, left hip pain, and right hip pain are denied.

Service connection for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, neck impairment, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and erectile dysfunction has been granted.,Service connection for back impairment, left knee impairment, right knee impairment, and psychiatric impairment has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to tinea pedis, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and an increased initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinea pedis prior to January 16, 2016 are remanded due to the Veteran's failure to attend his scheduled VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), a lumbar spine disability, a respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and an eye disability are not supported by the evidence. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for hypertension. The claims of service connection for hearing loss and a separate psychiatric disorder (separate from gambling disorder) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and acne were granted service connection, with the acne receiving a noncompensable rating effective August 2, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims. As such, all issues on appeal are REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to confusion regarding the Veteran's failure to attend VA examinations and because of missing records. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to attend a VA examination for her acquired psychiatric disorder, and additional treatment records will be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being reopened as they include new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of his pseudofolliculitis barbae and to assess whether he has a nerve disorder or sleep disturbances related to service. The appeal will be remanded in these areas.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and opinions did not address whether the Veteran's muscle spasms were a separate and distinct disability from his service-connected back condition, and also failed to adequately address the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for a right patellar thickness tear and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for headaches, as secondary to a service-connected eye condition. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted an initial 70 percent rating and TDIU beginning February 27, 2017. SMC at the levels set forth under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) has also been granted.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, degenerative changes, lumbar spine, and an acquired psychiatric disability claimed as depression and anxiety. The claims are now remanded for further development.