Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the lumbar spine, hernia, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, acquired psychiatric disorder, and valvular heart disease have all been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period.,The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is granted, effective January 14, 2015. The Board also grants an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability and remanded all other issues due to new evidence received since the last denial. The claims are being remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, and a right hand disorder due to inadequate scheduling of examinations.

Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis and bilateral flat feet (pes planus).,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, frequent urination, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and insomnia are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to service. The Veteran claims he experienced military sexual trauma during his service in Iraq.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's increased rating for skin cancer residuals is denied, and his claim for TDIU is also denied due to the combined disability ratings not meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, residuals of shingles, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence supporting a direct link between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure. His back disability is linked to his active service, as evidenced by a history of injuries sustained during service.,The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities were aggravated by his service-connected right total knee replacement and/or back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ingrown toenail condition, bilateral knee condition, and acquired psychiatric condition have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain has been remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death, and no final decision can be made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, CAD, left and right knee disabilities, and psychiatric disorder, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation as of May 24, 2022. The Board granted the TDIU claim effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the pre-decisional duty to assist, specifically regarding the need for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder(s), particularly if diagnosed as PTSD. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's statements about personal assault during service and the corroborating evidence from his service records.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for entitlement to service connection for a disability manifested by damage to the Veteran's chest, an anxiety disorder, a panic disorder, and PTSD. The VA will now attempt to obtain inpatient treatment records from Wiesbaden, Germany, and Ft. Stewart, Georgia, as well as provide appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if she has current disabilities related to her in-service miscarriage and pregnancy difficulties, including neurobehavioral effects.

The Veteran's appeals for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as the Veteran is deceased.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation as of May 24, 2022. The Board granted the TDIU claim with an effective date of November 29, 2022.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was improper, and therefore restored it.