Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused him to be in need of regular aid and assistance, leading to a grant of special month compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further development.

The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability due to a lack of compliance with prior remand directives and the need for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient development, including the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was awarded attorney fees based on the full amount of past-due benefits awarded in the May 2023 Rating Decision, rather than the actual amount paid.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claim is remanded due to new evidence indicating a change in diagnosis from borderline personality disorder to bipolar disorder.,The Veteran's left and right knee disability claims are remanded as there is new evidence of ongoing pain since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to inadequate medical examinations. The Board requires further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions, specifically whether they are related to service or aggravated by other service-connected conditions.

An earlier effective date of September 27, 2019, is granted for the increased rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.,An earlier effective date of September 27, 2019, is granted for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of a psychiatric disability has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability from August 2, 2002 to March 10, 2020 was partially remanded. The Board has now granted a 100% rating effective December 19, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.,The Veteran's right little finger healed fracture disability is also being remanded for further examination and development.,Service connection for right foot synovitis due to Still's Disease, left wrist CTS, and a right knee disability are all being remanded. The Veteran claims these conditions were caused by exposure to environmental agents at FTMC or secondary to her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, is also being remanded for further examination and development of her medical records.,Service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding when the Veteran's right knee problems started.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MST, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, is being remanded. The Veteran claims these conditions were caused by in-service personal assault.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disability and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which she contends are related to her military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for pes planus, an acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and dysphemia), and nonservice-connected pension prior to February 3, 2020 due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, and sleep apnea disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in previous decisions and new evidence is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations. The claims will be reconsidered on their merits.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for gout and onychocryptosis of the left great toe are reopened, but service connection remains denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD) is denied because the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric condition.,Service connection for sleep disturbances (including sleep apnea) is denied due to attribution of symptoms to obstructive sleep apnea, which was not incurred in or caused by service.,Service connection for painful joints, other than gout and a neck disability, is denied as the Veteran has not identified specific joints for which he seeks service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and any mental health condition, finding no evidence linking his current disability to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to deficiencies in the record regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions, including a lack of psychiatric treatment records from her service and an incorrect opinion on whether she had other diagnoses. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with the mental disorder claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability claim should be remanded due to incomplete consideration of all periods of service and an inadequate VA examination. The left foot drop, sciatic nerve, spinal stenosis, left wrist cyst removal with left wrist strain and surgical scar, and left knee patellar tendinosis claims are also remanded for further development.