Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's Hashimoto's thyroiditis is currently rated as zero percent disabling due to normal thyroid function.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (unspecified anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder) has been increased to 70% disabling effective July 2, 2018. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and insufficient medical opinions. The claim for service connection for cause of death is being reviewed, along with the issue regarding burial benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeal was not timely filed, and thus the issues of service connection for headaches and psychiatric disorder, as well as increased ratings for head scar and right knee disability, remain unresolved.

The Veteran's right foot disability is currently rated as noncompensable prior to May 31, 2022 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran's sleep apnea has been granted secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.,Service connection for joint pain (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis) and shin splints is remanded due to conflicting opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, finding that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service stressor. The Veteran's reported stressors were not corroborated, and his diagnoses did not stem from service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically cyclothymic disorder, has been rated at 70 percent since June 28, 2012. The Board also granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective from the same date.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded several other issues related to the Veteran's health conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his current diagnoses are not related to his active service and that there is no credible evidence of a stressor event during bootcamp.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, a substance-induced mood disorder, depression, and anxiety, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy was denied, and the psychiatric disability appeal is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a heart condition, but has remanded both cases for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for HIV, blindness secondary to HIV, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) secondary to HIV due to insufficient medical opinions and missing SSA records.

The Veteran's scar, status post left breast biopsy, is granted a 10 percent rating beginning January 6, 2020. The Veteran's prior requests for higher ratings are denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and breast tumors are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder are denied.,Service connection for the right elbow disability, left elbow disability, and back disability remains pending due to need for additional evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the appellant's withdrawal of these claims. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus with osteoarthritic changes is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is granted to July 2, 2017, based on receipt of an Intent to File from the Veteran within one year of submission of a Fully Developed Claim.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to lack of VA examination and incomplete service treatment records.,The claim for TDIU is also remanded as it is intertwined with the service connection issue for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a substance use disorder or its residuals. The decision was based on the lack of evidence linking the current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's biological child was born with Sturge-Weber Syndrome and other disorders. The claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1805 or § 1815 is denied because the appellant does not have spina bifida, which would qualify her for benefits based on her mother's Vietnam service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a heart disorder and denied all other claims due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.