Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's migraines are now rated at 50% effective September 23, 2016. The Board also granted TDIU from September 23, 2016 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are caused by his service-connected conditions, and the claim for a compensable rating for a right knee scar is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rectal bleeding and other specified anxiety with alcohol use disorder were reopened.,Service connection was granted for status post multiple surgical procedures for rectal abscess and fistula and rectal incontinence (claimed as rectal bleeding), an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder with psychotic features and generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder secondary to major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and chronic pain from recurring rectal fistula.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such disability.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, neck disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis are all denied due to the lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 2, 2008. The Board granted TDIU based on the evidence showing his disabilities prevent him from participating in any substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia was granted with an effective date of March 15, 2016. The Board found that the May 2016 rating decision denying the claim did not become final because new and material evidence was received within a year.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted beginning April 3, 2008. The Board also remanded the case for extraschedular consideration of TDIU after April 3, 2008.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 23, 2014 for the grant of a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran met the schedular criteria for TDIU at that time.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition were denied. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and MDD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical disability is not service-connected, and has remanded the psychiatric disability claim for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as service connected. The Board found the evidence in equipoise and granted service connection based on the reported stressors during service.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of August 2, 2017, and September 18, 2017, for the Veteran's cluster and migraine headaches and acquired psychiatric disorder, respectively. The effective dates are based on factual ascertainability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been granted an initial 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right elbow disability, diagnosed as mild degenerative changes and ulnar nerve palsy, status post three arthroscopic surgeries, is granted service connection.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection.,New and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim for left ear hearing loss.,New and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right wrist condition, left knee chondromalacia patella, and right knee chondromalacia patella are all rated at the maximum allowed under current criteria. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was also denied.

The Board has already adjudicated and remanded the issues of service connection for rhinitis, a penile condition, sinusitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and an anxiety disorder). The appeal is dismissed as there are no longer any case or controversy pending before the Board.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability is not service-connected, and has remanded his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and depression due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has found that the VA Regional Office did not obtain relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records, which may be pertinent to the Veteran's claims. The appeal is being remanded to obtain these SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain disability, sores on legs/feet, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to Camp Lejeune exposure are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.