Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's AMA appeal regarding service connection for a psychiatric disorder is dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance is denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities required regular aid and attendance prior to November 6, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to provide a VA examination and perform necessary development, including toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and personality disorder, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of right rib cage fracture was also denied.

Parkinson's disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, and erectile dysfunction were granted service connection effective August 31, 2010.,An initial rating of 30 percent for Parkinson's disease was assigned since August 31, 2010.

The Board has determined that there are potentially relevant outstanding medical records from private providers and the Veteran is requested to provide names and addresses for these providers. The claim will be remanded to allow VA to obtain these records.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for a secondary acquired psychiatric disorder, to include insomnia, as related to his service-connected tinnitus, is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.,A VA examination will be scheduled to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders are etiologically related to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claims for service connection of neck and knee conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is reopened and granted as his current major depressive disorder with anxious distress is found to be secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.,The request to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a head injury, now claimed as traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals, is denied. The evidence does not support that any right shoulder disability is related to a service-connected left upper extremity disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are related to multiple mental health diagnoses and his assertion of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Trauma Disorder and PTSD with TBI, results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. However, the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for erectile dysfunction is granted, but the case is remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and need for supplemental opinions regarding service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with contact and a need for a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee condition and service connection for hearing loss in both ears are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss is being remanded as he reported worsening symptoms and there was no right ear hearing loss diagnosed. A new examination is needed, considering his testimony of noise exposure during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and opinion addressing whether it is related to service or within one year post-service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression), left hip disability, right hip disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations considering his lay statements and secondary theories of entitlement.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his bilateral hip disability is being remanded as there was no current diagnosis found in a previous examination. A new opinion is needed regarding whether it is related to his back condition or aggravated by other conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for his bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations considering his lay statements and secondary theories of entitlement as raised at his hearing.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left knee condition is being remanded as there was no current diagnosis found in a previous examination. A new opinion is needed regarding whether it is related to his back condition or aggravated by other conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assist the Veteran with his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing notice regarding military sexual trauma. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and back condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disorder is remanded as he has not been afforded a VA examination regarding his current diagnoses.,The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction/loss of reproductive organ is remanded because it is inextricably intertwined with his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded as he has not been afforded a VA examination regarding his current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claims for bronchial asthma and COPD are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disability is remanded because he has not been afforded a VA examination regarding his current condition.,The Veteran's claims for frostbite left foot, frostbite right foot, chronic mycotic infection bilateral feet, and bilateral foot disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of schizophrenia had onset in service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted. The claim for a compensable initial rating for his left ear hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and requires further remand for adequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's knee conditions and acquired psychiatric disorder.