Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a qualifying hearing loss disability meeting VA's regulatory definition.,Service connection for TBI, whiplash, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for further examination and clarification of medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence, as well as to determine if any currently-diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset during or is otherwise related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all listed conditions prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia, is rated at 100 percent from May 24, 2016 to February 20, 2020. The Board found that the severity of symptoms more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Bruxism, TMJ disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate examinations and the need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his acquired psychiatric disorders, back condition, and right hip condition to his military service. The claims are being returned for further development.

An initial 100 percent rating for service-connected schizophrenia is granted effective December 13, 2011. The Veteran's earlier effective date claim for schizophrenia prior to December 13, 2011, is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his military service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for sleep walking and an acquired psychiatric condition, as well as the issues of service connection for residuals of stroke, Alzheimer's disease, bilateral upper extremity nerve damage, bilateral lower extremity nerve damage, and an acquired psychiatric condition for Chapter 17 medical benefits purposes. The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the use of the wrong form in the legacy system.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to additional development being necessary. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is noted as a potential factor in his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain relevant records from SSA and VA, including a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's right index finger synovitis, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are related to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for character of discharge, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), right lower extremity radiculopathy, and hearing loss disability due to potential issues with the appellant's discharge from service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically dysthymia, is remanded due to worsening symptoms since the last VA examination in December 2018. The Board requires a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current disability level warrants an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of current diagnoses and insufficient evidence linking his claimed conditions to his active-duty service.,Additional development is required to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from any of these conditions, as well as whether they are related to his military service.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, eye disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The Veteran's right and left knee limitation of extension are now rated at 30 percent each.