Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder), but denied service connection for a heart disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, chronic right inguinal ligament and hamstring strain, and bilateral hearing loss disability are all granted. The rating for the latter is increased to 50 percent effective January 23, 2020.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of VA additional compensation benefits for dependents was due to sole administrative error by VA, and thus grants the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to incomplete personnel records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's GERD is granted with a 10 percent rating, but the issue of higher initial ratings for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain records from Bassett Army Community Hospital and Fairbanks Memorial Hospital related to the Veteran's GERD.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nerve issues impacting both upper extremities, shortness of breath, and sleep disturbances other than an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support current disabilities for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and need for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric, sleep apnea, and acid reflux conditions.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability. The claims for service connection for hepatitis C and left shoulder arthritis are remanded due to inadequate examination reports, and the TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the disorders and service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss is denied. The claims of reopening service connection for cervical spine disability and right ear hearing loss, as well as the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability (claimed as low back pain), right sciatic nerve pain, gastrointestinal disability (irritable bowel syndrome), migraine headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, obstructive sleep apnea, finger disability (right pinky finger dislocation), acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder), hair loss (alopecia), and skin rash are all denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by frequent urination or bladder incontinence and night sweats is also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that his pre-existing psychiatric conditions were not aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, neck disability, PTSD, and sleep condition are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and additional records.

The Board found that the Veteran's NOD for the July 2016 denial of service connection was untimely and denied the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, has produced symptoms consistent with total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period. The Board finds a 100 percent rating is warranted.

The Veteran's migraines are found to be aggravated by service, and she is granted service connection for them. A 10 percent rating for tinnitus is granted. The lumbosacral strain claim is remanded due to increased symptoms not addressed in the previous examination. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD) and hearing loss are also remanded as new evidence or clarification of medical opinions may be needed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to unresolved issues with her service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development, including scheduling new VA examinations at Ann Arbor VAMC due to facility restrictions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder, and migraine headaches are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.