Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination. The Board will consider new evidence submitted since the last denial of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has also determined that remand is necessary for further development regarding his lupus erythematosus, skin conditions, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to issues with service connection, TDIU, and numbness of the left hand and fingers.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to conflicting opinions from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's in-service symptoms and their relation to his current conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was rated at 30 percent prior to January 26, 2022. The Board found the evidence insufficient for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and because of a possible nexus between the acquired psychiatric disability, including memory loss, and toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) during service. The Veteran's claim for compensation is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's inability to attend a VA examination for his psychiatric disorder claim. The issues of service connection and TDIU are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for hypertension and left wrist disability. Service connection is granted for lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran is requested to provide any outstanding private or VA treatment records and undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and psychiatric disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions, as well as the need to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's disabilities include musculoskeletal issues, hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, lung conditions, headaches, heart condition, diabetes mellitus, kidney conditions, eye conditions, peripheral neuropathies, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, a 70% disability rating for acquired psychiatric disability, and a 50% initial disability rating for migraines have been granted. The claim for a higher rating for migraines has been denied, as well as the claim for a higher rating for right ilioinguinal nerve neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder was granted on June 5, 2018. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted because there is no factually ascertainable increase in severity of the Veteran's condition within one year prior to the date of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left kidney nephrectomy, hypertension (to include as secondary to left kidney nephrectomy), an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include adjustment disorder, depression, and anxiety) as secondary to left kidney nephrectomy, and erectile dysfunction have all been denied.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted increased ratings. The back disability is rated at 40 percent from December 29, 2015 to March 30, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not causally related to his military service.

The Veteran was granted TDIU for the period from January 1, 2017, but not earlier.,For the period from May 8, 2013, to December 31, 2016, the Veteran's employment did not meet the criteria for TDIU as his income exceeded the poverty threshold.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, panic disorder, anxiety, and PTSD, is granted service connection. Service connection for a sleep condition and vision condition are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not experience a TBI event in service and does not have residuals of a TBI. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also denied as there is no evidence to support its onset during or within one year after service.