Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not rated higher than noncompensable. The psychiatric disability claim requires a VA examination to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding whether Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. The Veteran will need additional opinions from a clinician addressing these issues.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea (OSA), and fecal incontinence. The appeals for secondary service connection are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, acquired psychiatric impairment, left lower extremity nerve pain, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, was also denied as the evidence did not show a link between the disabilities and active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, right arm condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disorder due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of his psychiatric and back disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 29, 2018 for tinnitus is denied as there was no prior communication indicating a claim.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus remains denied due to the absence of additional manifestations beyond ringing in his ears.,The claims for service connection for neck disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are both reopened based on new evidence, but the Board finds that service connection is not warranted as there is no established link between these conditions and service.,Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea as it was proximately caused by a service-connected left knee disorder.,The claims for TDIU remain remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of a concussion, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss. The VA will attempt to schedule examinations and obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding her claimed conditions. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records, undergo VA examinations, and have their claims re-evaluated.

The Board has found that the VA examination and medical opinions are inadequate, as they improperly relied on lack of in-service evidence and failed to adequately address the Veteran's assertions regarding onset and continuity of symptoms. The case is therefore remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board's decision to deny service connection for any acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, was vacated due to a denial of due process because the decision was issued before the expiration of the Veteran's extension request.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for TBI and SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to potential toxic exposure in service, including Gulf War service. The Veteran is presumed to have a toxic exposure unless there is affirmative evidence to establish no toxic exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability and acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to service. The original opinions were inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service experiences.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a depressive disorder, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board found that the Appellant did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding the September 2012 statement of the case, and thus denied her claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is also remanded for additional examinations related to his claimed disabilities, including bilateral feet, ankles, knees, shoulders, skin, frequent urination, migraines, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and Bell's palsy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for sleep apnea. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including marijuana and alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's in-service suicide attempt is also a relevant factor.