Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate specified in U.S.C. § 1114(o) due to suffering disability under which would entitle him to two or more of the rates provided in one or more subsections (l) through (n), and also granted SMC at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) due to his need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding various conditions including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, migraines, GERD, restless leg syndrome, and a respiratory disorder due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for HIV, gastrointestinal conditions, CTS and wrist disabilities, epididymitis, left testis condition, penile condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further action on cervical spine, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, thoracolumbar spine, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral knee conditions, and temporary total disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to lack of compliance with examination requirements, need for new evidence, and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD (including generalized anxiety disorder and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder), is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for hypertension is denied.,Service connection for OSA, to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, is denied.,Service connection for a left foot disability is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that his current diagnosis is as likely as not attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for right knee strain has been withdrawn. Service connection is granted for PTSD and TMJ pain disorder, but the claim for a sleep disorder and TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been reopened and remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to include as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability (with intermediary obesity) has been reopened and remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depression and PTSD, as secondary to a service-connected right knee condition has been reopened and remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient records and the need for further medical examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence received since the last final denial. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression), migraines secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea secondary to migraine disorder. The Veteran's hearing loss is not rated higher than 0%.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected chronic pain conditions. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than MDD, bilateral metatarsalgia, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, mechanical low back pain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability. The decision on service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia is dismissed. The claims for service connection for a right knee disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD, alcohol abuse, PTSD) are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA records. The issues include service connection for Crohn's disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression), a right knee disorder, a left knee disorder, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, is related to service and the claim for this condition is granted. The issue of diabetes mellitus secondary to the service-connected psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's headache condition, hypertension, and GERD are each remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's service connection claims for a headache condition, hypertension, and GERD are remanded due to the inextricability of these issues with his acquired psychiatric disorder claim.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for an examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, potentially related to military service. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded.