Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, but no higher, for the entire appeal period. A rating in excess of 70 percent for the condition beginning August 14, 2019, is denied.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected. The claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression), and left knee sprain are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clarity regarding whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder and its etiology. The VA needs to provide a medical opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence that needs to be considered and a need for an examination to assess the current severity of the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disability, and left knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records, including National Guard records from 2006-2012, and a VA examination must be conducted.

The Board has determined that the discontinuance of VR&E services was improper due to mitigating circumstances, including the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and his responsibilities as a caretaker for his wife. The VR&E benefits were restored.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The left knee disability and migraines are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral pes planus is granted. The claims for diabetes mellitus type II, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), fibromyalgia, and erectile dysfunction are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected hypertension was denied. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus remanded this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied in September 2014, but reopened and granted in November 2022. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at July 22, 2016. The Veteran also received a TDIU based on her service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, with an effective date of July 22, 2016. The Board found that neither the career counseling record nor any other relevant service department records from after September 2014 were relevant to the decision and thus did not affect the effective dates.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include GAD and insomnia. The claim for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied due to a lack of evidence linking the current condition to service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include GAD and insomnia, is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its onset during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has been granted with an effective date of October 25, 2017. The Board dismissed the appeal because granting the claim would not lead to any effectual relief.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, as aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for sleep disorder is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating increase in excess of 30 percent prior to February 18, 2024, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for his service-connected psychiatric disorder was denied.,Service connection for fatigue, muscle cramps in the left lower extremity, muscle cramps in the right lower extremity, a left hand disability, a right hand disability, a right foot disability, and a left foot disability were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred at Scripps Memorial Hospital due to lack of a medical emergency and because VA was feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's statements about his experiences in Southwest Asia are not adequately considered.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of her acquired psychiatric disorder was denied, and the claim for service connection of her esophageal condition is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left hip strain and acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of adequate medical opinions.