Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for a psychiatric disorder is granted, with the condition causing deficiencies in most areas of functioning throughout the appeal period but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia was denied. The Board found that the effective date should be August 31, 2004, as this is when the current claim was filed.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including trauma/stressor-related disorder and major depressive disorder, are granted as service-connected. From October 15, 2014, the Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for his meniscal tear and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The Veteran is also granted a 20 percent rating from October 15, 2014 to February 13, 2023, for limitation of extension of the right knee. A rating greater than 20 percent for limitation of extension of the right knee is denied starting February 14, 2023. The Veteran's limitation of flexion of the right hip is granted a 10 percent rating from October 15, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder did not have its onset in service and was not aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of pre-service existence or aggravation.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia rating was restored to 40 percent, effective November 30, 2011. The service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. However, the reduction of the fibromyalgia rating and the issues regarding left and right hip conditions are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding effective dates and ratings for the Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy and acquired psychiatric disability due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not have a verified in-service stressor and his current diagnosis of depression was less likely related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD was denied. The claims for increased ratings for lumbar and thoracic degenerative disc disease, as well as separate ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed bilateral lung condition, migraine headaches, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder as there was no evidence of these conditions during his military service or a direct relationship to service. The back condition claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's partial laryngectomy scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under current regulations. For his psychiatric disability, the claim is being denied as the Veteran failed to report for a necessary examination without good cause.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bowel problems, hemorrhoids, knee and ankle disorders, and a psychiatric condition. The Veteran's death certificate indicated he died of an acute kidney injury and colon cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (including panic disorder, anxiety, insomnia), finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for insomnia disability and denied his claims for right thigh, bilateral hand, bilateral foot, seizure disorder, shin splints, eczema, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity neuralgia, lumbar scar, psychiatric disability, migraines, cystic acne, and hiatal hernia with gastritis and history of healed gastric antral ulcer.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including intermittent explosive disorder and delusion disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine, cervical, and associated radiculopathies.,Service connection for a higher rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted from November 4, 2020.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence from his treating physician, which suggests a link between his current mental health condition and events in service. The Board finds that further examination and opinion are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military service, and the character of his discharge from his second period of service is not a bar to VA benefits.,Service connection for heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, sleep apnea, bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and scars are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, finding that it is related to his military service.