Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include ingrown toenails, post-surgical bunions of the feet, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety).

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to appear for scheduled VA examinations. The Board will provide another opportunity for a VA examination and review of his claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to inadequate medical opinions in support of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain, headaches associated with post-concussive syndrome (PCS), and psychiatric disorder associated with PCS are all rated based on their individual merits. The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine appropriate ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to his failure to appear for VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral knee DJD and obesity are granted service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression) is denied, and the hypertension claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a back disability, right knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the current 10 percent evaluation is the maximum available.,Service connection for high cholesterol is denied because it does not meet VA compensation criteria.,A TDIU award is granted based on service-connected disabilities preventing substantial gainful employment.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for schizophrenia remains remanded due to potential aggravation of pre-existing conditions.,Claims for higher ratings for right rotator cuff tendonitis, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are also remanded.,Claims for higher ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, and metatarsalgia remain remanded.,Claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), allergic rhinitis, internal hemorrhoids, right colon adenoma, umbilical hernia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and insomnia are all remanded.,The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied service connection for a right colon adenoma is also remanded.,Service connection claims for an umbilical hernia secondary to the right colon adenoma and diabetes mellitus remain remanded.,Claims for service connection for heart disability, including hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and insomnia are all remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and chronic fatigue, finding no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the timeliness of the NOD to an August 2011 rating decision and service connection for a spinal tumor. The Board dismissed these claims as withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hearing loss and lumbosacral strain, as well as his service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches, require additional evidence due to the passage of time since their last examinations. The Veteran is also required to have a thorough search conducted for all Air National Guard service treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for lower extremity disability, acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as emotional problem), bursitis, and arthritis/rheumatoid arthritis on the basis of substitution due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board also remanded several other issues, including those related to his feet, thighs/hips, elbow, and skin.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizophrenia and paranoia, is at least as likely as not aggravated during his ACDUTRA service in June 2010. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right hip disability, and left hip disability due to service-connected low back disability. The claims are being remanded so that a VA examination can be conducted to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his active-duty service or any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back condition (claimed as an acquired psychiatric disorder), right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The Board found that new evidence submitted by the Veteran supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, finding that her symptoms are related to events during her military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, as secondary to neck and tongue cancer. The claim was also denied on a direct basis due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board has found significant deficiencies in the claims file and has ordered remand for several issues, including obtaining military personnel records, a TERA examination, and verifying stressors. The Veteran's TBI and headache disorders are also being examined to determine their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the failure of proper notification regarding scheduled VA examinations.