Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, back disability, and right ear hearing loss. The broken nose claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The examiner is instructed to determine if the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service and whether he experienced any stressors during service that could support a PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's tinnitus and low back condition are granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, hypertension, testicle condition, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) due to exposure to environmental hazards during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia disorder was reopened and granted effective March 24, 2014. He previously had a denial in 1976 due to lack of evidence within one year of separation from military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left knee disability, psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD), and sleep disability due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations and provide additional information. The Veteran is homeless, which may constitute good cause for missing the examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence. The back disability, left hip disability, and depression claim are all being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination and unclear etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety) and alcohol abuse disorder.

Service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, and tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for hypertension, headache disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder has not been established.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural defect in filing a VA Form 10182 instead of a VA Form 21-0958. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is now on the merits.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome. The remaining issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability (depression), erectile dysfunction, and hypertension have been remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for schizophrenia was denied, but he received a 50% rating for headaches. The effective dates for service connection were granted earlier than initially requested. SMC at the housebound rate was also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his failure to provide updated employment information, specifically by submitting a VA Form 21-8940. The evidence showed that he had service-connected disabilities but did not meet the criteria for TDIU as defined in the regulations.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability caused total social and occupational impairment, leading to a 100% disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including a mood disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand muscle cramps is granted as new and material evidence has been received. The claim of service connection for liver disability (claimed as hemochromatosis) remains pending.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an eye injury is granted, with the issue remaining pending. A March 2022 private evaluation found a relationship between the Veteran's left eye glaucoma and in-service eye injury.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as a sleep disorder). The case is remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding radiculopathy of the lower extremities and headache disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia is rated at the maximum 100 percent disabling level due to total occupational and social impairment.