Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to reconsider the claims for service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, left upper extremity condition, and right upper extremity condition. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric condition (to include insomnia) is reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis is granted. Remaining service connection claims are further addressed in the remand section.

The Veteran's appeals for various secondary service connection claims have been dismissed due to their death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a disabling level of bilateral hearing loss. The Board also finds that the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected schizophrenia has been established, allowing him to receive SMC at the housebound rate. As his TDIU was moot due to the 100% rating for schizophrenia and concurrent SMC, there are no allegations of errors of fact or law remaining.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected acquired mental disorder was denied by the Board, with an effective date of May 3, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his psychiatric disability, service connection for his back disability, and service connection for macular degeneration due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates ranging from March 16, 2001 to January 4, 2008. The conditions were related to his military service and the VA has assigned full ratings (100%) for all granted issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his combined service-connected disability rating has reached 100%, rendering the issue moot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of analysis based on proper legal principles, specifically regarding the presumption of soundness upon entry into service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression, as well as his claim for service connection for a back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of these conditions during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence, specifically a lack of an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ is instructed to arrange for an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, was manifested by decreased work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress or symptomatology controlled by continuous medication prior to July 30, 2018. As of July 30, 2018, the Veteran's psychiatric condition resulted in reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches has been granted, but his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) secondary to headaches has been denied.

The Board has dismissed the claims for entitlement to service connection for a substance abuse disorder and Hepatitis C. The previously denied claim for schizophrenia was reopened, but the issue of service connection remains remanded due to additional development needed.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, right ankle disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and upper respiratory disability (to include bronchitis) due to lack of a current diagnosis or functional impairment. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability and whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for residuals of a heat stroke, headache condition, right leg condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and heart condition. The appeals are granted to this extent.