Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of examination for the Veteran's current mental health diagnoses and their etiology.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's headaches, neck disorder, back disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), anxiety, insomnia, sleep disturbances, and depression are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been reopened. The evidence submitted is new and material as it relates to the unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claim of asthma was not reopened because no new and material evidence was received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disorder has been reopened. Evidence from private doctors suggests that the condition may have started during service, but VA treatment records do not support this.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and right hip disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and high blood pressure are granted. The issue of TDIU is remanded due to the need for a VA opinion on service connection for high blood pressure.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the depression noted in service is related to the current psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and a right shoulder disorder due to incomplete development following previous remands.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied. The claim for TDIU is granted. The claims for bilateral shoulder disorder and the issue of character of service are remanded.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected psychiatric disorder, finding that his symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral leg and foot disabilities, varicose veins, heart disability, hypertension, hysterectomy, menopause, incontinence, bilateral eye disability, and psychiatric disability (to include depression) were all denied service connection. The case was remanded for additional development.,Service connection for sleep apnea, a heart disability, hypertension, a hysterectomy, menopause, hormonal changes, incontinence, and a bilateral eye disability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, with the exception of a period when he was already in receipt of an award for a temporary total rating due to his psychiatric disability. The appeal has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for status-post excision cutaneous lesion of the right ear and SMC based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for back disability, service connection for depression as secondary to back disability, and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues. A VA examination is needed to address these matters.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a preexisting condition worsening during service or any other link to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and opinions regarding service connection for back disability, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a right leg disability, right foot disability, sleep disorder (OSA and/or insomnia), an acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypotension. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's type II diabetes is granted service connection due to herbicide exposure in Korea. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressor.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.