Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding all acquired psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to service or service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them for further development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, with evidence showing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and folliculitis dermatitis are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of a VA examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders may be related to service, but more evidence is needed.

The appeal to readjudicate the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,The appeals to readjudicate claims of service connection for tinnitus, kidney conditions, an acquired psychiatric disability, a dental condition, and acid reflux are granted.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and right shoulder impingement syndrome and bicipital tendon tear have been denied as there is no evidence of a claim prior to the effective dates assigned.,The Veteran's GERD has been granted service connection secondary to medications used to treat his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a skin disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal regarding payment for August 2018 VA compensation benefits is dismissed. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded and requires further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability due to lack of evidence showing a pre-existing condition or direct link to service, and the Veteran did not provide good cause for missing his scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as it is related to his military service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted as it is proximately due to a service-connected condition (migraine headaches).,Sleep apnea is also granted as it is proximately due to a service-connected condition (migraine headaches).

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; and for an eye disability. The claims for service connection for a low back disability, skin disorder, headaches, and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The case of bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychomotor epilepsy.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board has found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating, and thus denied an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The TDIU claim must be remanded as part of this decision.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right hip strain, GERD/acid reflux disease, asthma, and acquired psychiatric condition due to changes in symptoms since previous examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these increased rating claims.

The Veteran's right foot onychomycosis is not service-connected as it is not related to his active duty service or his service-connected right knee conditions.,The Veteran's right knee instability warrants a rating of 30 percent, and higher ratings are precluded due to the amputation rule.,For the period prior to October 1, 2018, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.,Beginning October 1, 2018, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy warrants a rating of 20 percent and higher ratings are precluded due to the amputation rule.,The Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing but not for special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and an increased rating for nasal fracture scar residuals due to failure of the Veteran to report to scheduled VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder was granted.