Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (chronic depression), and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, manifested by chronic adjustment disorder, has prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since June 4, 1996. On and after August 30, 2002, the Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The rating in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder prior to August 21, 2017, and in excess of 70 percent from August 21, 2017, and thereafter, have not been met.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome and spondylosis. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, is remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for fibrocystic disease of the right breast, a heart disorder (including mitral valve prolapse), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression). The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension and tinnitus have been granted service connection, but his rhabdomyolysis and acquired psychiatric disorder remain unresolved due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded nine issues related to service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, insomnia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and osteoarthritis. The Veteran's in-service stressors include exposure to the noise of cannon fire and guard duty.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, and left wrist disorders. The acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is also remanded.

Service connection for a right shoulder disability, thoracic spine disability, and cervical spine disability has been denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is granted as service connected, and the claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable disabilities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will consider service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric condition and hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder, and headache disability are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD due to a failure to verify the Veteran's reported stressors. The AOJ is instructed to request verification from the appropriate entities.

The Veteran's tension headaches are not rated as compensable due to the lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.,Service connection for radiculopathy, left and right lower extremities is denied because there is no diagnosis of such conditions in the evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and a new medical opinion due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor, lack of corroboration, and insufficient treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred or aggravated during active duty. The claim is being remanded for further clarification on whether the Veteran currently has a disability for VA purposes.,For the acquired psychiatric disability, the Board found that presumptive service connection cannot be granted based on Camp Lejeune exposure as it does not fall under the list of covered illnesses in 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(f). The claim is being remanded to consider whether direct service connection can be established.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Appellant's behavior at the time of misconduct was due to disease, leading to his discharge under other than honorable conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, low back disability, right ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and/or depression), and prostate disability due to service. The AOJ is directed to schedule examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding these issues.