Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's unspecified mental disorder, which is considered a direct service connection case, has been granted a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as suicidal ideations, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively, and impaired impulse control.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure of the VA examination report to take into consideration the Veteran's lay symptomology, and thus requires a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, GERD, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to pre-decisional errors in VA examinations.,VA is required to provide a VA examination if there is (1) a current disability; (2) an injury or disease in service; and (3) a possible nexus between them.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and skin disability have been granted. The separate claims for anxiety disorder and depression disorder are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for mental disorder to include depression, stress, and insomnia is dismissed as the condition was previously granted in an October 2021 rating decision. The appeal for tachycardia is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with the possibility of obtaining an opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 100 percent for paranoid type schizophrenia, as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal, requesting a dismissal of the case due to the Veteran's desire not to proceed with the hearing and his wish to withdraw the claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD related to MST, and for an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including neck, shoulder, hip, wrist, thumb, psychiatric disorders, foot pain, flatfeet, hearing loss, and knee conditions due to lack of evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrences.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The appellant is not eligible to the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the March 2021 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney disability, headache disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and obstructive sleep apnea due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals. The AOJ is directed to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to toxic chemicals at Jacksonville and Davisville.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and special monthly compensation (SMC) are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including medical opinions regarding his psychiatric disabilities, headaches, and need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired mental disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims were based on his reported military experiences but no specific diagnoses or supporting evidence was provided in the decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder is rated at 100% since May 11, 2017. The Board also found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for fibromyalgia, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were constant or nearly so and refractory to therapy. The claims for service connection for sleep disabilities, headaches, psychiatric disorders, IBS, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder as new and relevant evidence was not received, and the Veteran's symptoms were found to be more likely due to untreated OSA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran seeks service connection for these conditions, which are related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has found that the evidence does not support service connection for pancreatic neoplasm or an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and potentially locate VA treatment records from before June 2018.