Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the March 2023 medical opinion, including not addressing the Veteran's real-time reports of mistreatment during service or racial discrimination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected.,A 50% rating for migraine headaches is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is remanded due to lack of evidence.,An initial rating in excess of 10% for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to unresolved medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The issues are related to in-service injuries or events.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric condition and various musculoskeletal issues, did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the Veteran had a solid foundation for employment based on his education and work history, despite some limitations due to his disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's preexisting psychiatric condition was not aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that her preexisting depression clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions including a sleep disorder, tinnitus, headaches, breathing condition, digestive condition, and acquired psychiatric condition due to the Veteran's failure to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the qualifications of the VA examiner who initially evaluated the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran and his representative need information regarding this examiner's credentials.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including headaches, shoulder, hand, arm, and psychiatric conditions. The decision concluded that the injuries sustained in a 2004 motor vehicle accident were not incurred in the line of duty due to the Veteran's willful misconduct.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disability and denied service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disorder. The skin disability is believed to have started during service, while the other conditions are not considered related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed as moot due to the full grants of benefits. The claim for a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was granted effective September 25, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and outstanding military personnel records. The claims will be reconsidered, and a VA examination will be scheduled to address the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as well as the right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including mild unspecific depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and insufficient medical opinion to establish a link between his in-service experiences and his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, finding that there was no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to comply with VA's duty to assist the Veteran in obtaining evidence needed to substantiate his claims for service connection. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and a review of the medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims due to the passage of time since his last VA examinations, outstanding medical records, and incomplete treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder and alcohol use disorder are related to service. The matter is REMANDED for a VA opinion regarding whether these disorders caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.