Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral foot disability, back disability, left knee disability, upper thigh disability, skin disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic sinusitis and PTSD due to conflicting medical opinions and unclear diagnoses. The RO must clarify whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD, determine if his other diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to service, and issue a new rating decision.

The Veteran's initial rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied, and the effective date for service connection was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and its relationship to service. The AOJ is required to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service, was aggravated by service, or had its onset in service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine and bilateral knee disorders, as well as bilateral hearing loss due to the need for further medical evaluation and opinion.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, dysthymic disorder, and mood disorder, is granted. The case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his mental health conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder was reduced to a 30 percent rating in August 2007 and then further reduced to a 50 percent rating in April 2009. The Board has restored the 100 percent rating effective November 1, 2007.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not considered a current disability for VA purposes.,The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any left hip disorder, neck disorder (secondary to right knee disability), and left leg tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD. The examiner is requested to provide a new opinion addressing whether the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from gainful employment since March 27, 2015. The Board has granted a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the aggravation of a psychiatric disorder during service.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, and sleep apnea. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's dental disabilities and dyshidrotic eczema have been granted service connection. The right shoulder disability, right lower extremity disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, in-service event or disease, or a causal relationship to service.,There is no evidence of hypertension during service. The September 2020 VA examination found the Veteran has hypertension but did not find it related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that it is related to his active military service and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the left knee disability and remanded the service connection claims. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The VA has awarded a 30 percent rating for cervical spine disability effective May 25, 2016. The appellant's claim was received within one year of the Intent to File.