Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's low back, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's psychiatric condition (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder) and hypertension are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further development.

The Board has readjudicated the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, and hypertension due to new evidence submitted since the August 2019 rating decision. The Veteran's stressor statement provided in March 2020 was considered, along with VA treatment records and a VA examination, which supported reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted due to the submission of new evidence that supports her claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent disabling for schizophrenic disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors related to his service on the USS Toledo (SSN 769). The AOJ is instructed to make reasonable efforts to obtain credible supporting evidence for the Veteran's claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and hypertension have been dismissed as the AOJ has granted these conditions in full.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and sinusitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing their secondary nature.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection as they were likely caused by noise exposure during service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Other Specified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder with Bipolar Disorder) is also granted based on the Veteran's reported stressor of witnessing a plane crash at Pope Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia have been readjudicated due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for both conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder, as well as vertigo, are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted the appeal for payment or reimbursement of the cost of non-VA ambulance transportation provided on August 28, 2019 to a Veteran with service-connected psychiatric disabilities. The transport was deemed necessary due to an emergency medical condition and no feasible VA facility was available.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. For the period from September 29, 2019, the Veteran's psychiatric disability was rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating.

The claim for service connection for a lower back disorder is readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence received.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,Tinnitus has been granted as likely related to in-service noise exposure, but the Veteran's bilateral eye disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder claims require further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's SMC at the 'L' rate is based on his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected paranoid schizophrenia and bilateral upper extremity radiculitis. His remaining service-connected disabilities combine to more than 50 percent but less than 100 percent, qualifying him for a higher level of SMC 'P'.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination. The Veteran's right-shoulder pain may have started during active duty, while his acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) may be related to in-service traumatic events.

The Board denied an effective date prior to April 8, 2020 for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The criteria were not met as it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's condition had increased in severity within one year prior to April 8, 2020.

The Veteran's cervical spine and psychiatric disabilities are granted as service-connected. The claim for IBS is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), chloracne, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation due to potential toxic exposure during service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA TERA opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records and provide appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of complete service treatment records, particularly from the Veteran's National Guard service period. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and then readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board has granted a TDIU effective August 31, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back, neck, left wrist, right wrist, right knee, and right shoulder disorders. The appeal is allowed to that extent only.