Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including right foot plantar fasciitis, cervical and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee meniscal tear, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. The claim for a higher initial disability rating for her low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted based on the PACT Act presumption of service connection. High cholesterol, tremors, a skin disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's nightmares/fear of falling claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, right-hand condition, and tinnitus due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The RO is instructed to locate the Veteran and schedule comprehensive VA examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder), asthma, and unspecified heart disorder are all granted as they are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and addressing whether bilateral hearing loss warrants an initial rating in excess of 10 percent. The TDIU claim is also deferred due to its interdependence with the hearing loss issue.

The Veteran's appeals for GERD, irritable colon syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD including a personality disorder, rectal bleeding, and a right testicular condition have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. Service connection for asthma pursuant to the PACT Act is also granted.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for back condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, plantar fasciitis, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left and right knee strain has been withdrawn.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to service-connected low back disability, is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, which includes major depressive disorder severe with psychotic features and anxious distress (psychiatric disorder), is rated at 70 percent effective March 15, 2018. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due solely to the service-connected psychiatric disorder is also granted effective March 15, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a comprehensive VA mental health examination to determine the likely etiology of the claimed psychiatric disorder and whether any sleep disorder is secondary to the diagnosed condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's continuous ringing in his ears since service is a credible and competent report. However, service connection for psychiatric disability was denied as there is no medical evidence linking any diagnosed condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, DJD of the lumbar spine, and DJD of the cervical spine are granted service connection. Service connection for prostate cancer is also granted due to exposure to herbicide agents including Agent Orange during his Vietnam War service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause and continues to deny the claims for service connection due to lack of compliance with remand directives. The case is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fatigue, headaches, acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression), dizziness, and a back condition due to procedural issues and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for TBI. The Veteran's psychiatric disability remains the focus of his appeal, with hepatitis C secondary to that disability also being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide adequate notice and scheduling of a VA examination for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and entitlement to a TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding aggravation.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection for secondary disabilities related to his prostate cancer residuals is being remanded due to the need for additional development.