Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with a prior remand directive regarding obtaining SSA disability records. The AOJ is required to obtain and associate these records with the claims file.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, effective from March 5, 2020. The decision finds that it is approximately as likely as not related to his combat experience in active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder.,Service connection for dizziness was also denied due to the lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU, which was granted on November 16, 2021. The Board finds that additional efforts are necessary to determine if the Veteran's employment constituted a protected environment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) was dismissed as the AOJ had already granted it in a September 2024 rating decision. The claims for flat feet, prediabetes, dehydration, acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, right toe disability, disability associated with painful urination, and erectile dysfunction were denied due to lack of evidence showing their onset during service or being related to service.

The Veteran's gastric ulcer with erosive gastroduodenitis is granted an initial 20 percent rating.,Other service connection claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and to provide the Veteran with a comprehensive examination for his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a vision disorder, sleep apnea, penile condition, foot disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. The claims of service connection for these conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, back, neck, and right shoulder disorders. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain complete service personnel records and medical treatment records for INACDUTRA periods. A new opinion on etiology is needed for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizophreniaiform disorder, as there was no evidence of a service-related injury or event. The appeal is based on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric condition to include insomnia disorder, headaches, stomach ulcers, and numbness of the upper extremities, are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.,Specifically, the Board finds that the VA examinations provided were inadequate in addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted as service-connected. Service connection for left and right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, but denied service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's current left knee pain had its onset in service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and records. The issues of psychiatric disorders and gastrointestinal disabilities are being reviewed.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 2, 2020. The Board finds a pre-decisional error and requests the Veteran to correct his VA Form 8940 detailing all employment periods.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right ear hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection for PTSD with anxiety is denied. The Board notes that the evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD and finds no causal relationship between service and the diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder.,The claims for bilateral foot disability, lumbar spine disability, and lumbar radiculopathy are remanded due to new evidence received in 2023 and potential exposure to toxic chemicals during service.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded. The Veteran's claim for lumbar radiculopathy remains pending.,The claims for bilateral foot disability, lumbar spine disability, and asthma are remanded due to the need for a TERA memorandum and ILER report.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient addressing of specific evidence in the VA examiner's opinion. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizophrenia, finding that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by service beyond its natural progression.