Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's asthma is granted as presumptively related to his service in Djibouti. The cases for celiac disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations, and the case for basal cell carcinoma is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeals seeking to reopen claims of service connection for low testosterone, kidney disability, and acid reflux have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder (stress disorder) and liver disability (fatty liver disease) with new and material evidence have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, sleep apnea, or chronic fatigue syndrome. The back and bilateral flat feet conditions are also not supported by the evidence as being related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and acquired psychiatric disorder, including recurrent major depressive episodes, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and panic attacks with agoraphobia are granted.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, and thus remanded for further evaluation of service connection claims related to an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, bruxism, and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability and diarrhea and vomiting as the appellant's discharge from service was under other than honorable conditions, which constitutes a bar to VA compensation benefits.

The Board has found that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's lichen planus, and remands his claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, migraines, and seizures as secondary to his service-connected lichen planus. The Veteran was not provided with adequate examinations or opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder and denied secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired mental disorder, finding no new and material evidence to support the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include his lumbar spine, bilateral pes planus, knee, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's psychiatric claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his service in the Republic of Vietnam and has been granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and because they are inextricably intertwined with another issue. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and tinnitus will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted, and his skin lesions are denied. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder on a direct basis was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to his service-connected disability and for difficulty swallowing, both of which are related to his laryngeal condition.,Service connection will be considered for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder if it is determined that he had a pre-existing psychiatric disorder prior to entering military service. The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder did not exist before service entry, thus rebutting the presumption of soundness.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development, and they will be reviewed again by the VA Regional Office.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder with TBI was granted a rating of 70 percent, effective May 2, 2018. The appeal is not about service connection but rather the increased rating for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for psychiatric disability, asthma, and back degenerative disc disease due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the previous remand instructions were not fully complied with and thus, another remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA psychologist or psychiatrist.