Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically his in-service diagnosis for adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record. The disability picture most nearly approximates the current assigned rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his psychiatric disorder is granted, with a 50 percent disability rating effective from the date of the June 2022 decision. The Veteran also receives entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's SMC based on statutory housebound status is granted from January 7, 2019. The TDIU issue is moot as the psychiatric disability alone meets the criteria for a 100% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and earlier effective dates for his service-connected disabilities, including left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and schizophrenia with alcohol use disorder.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for bilateral eye surgery cataract left and right eye, acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, and a lower back disability. These claims are being remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including eye disability or vision disability, hearing loss, bone cancer (Acute lymphoblastic leukemia), drug abuse, alcohol abuse, psychiatric disability (Anxiety and depression), attempted suicide, dry skin disability, stress, memory loss, low back disability, headaches, and sleep disturbances have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's conditions were not related to service or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and lumbosacral strain due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's headaches, GERD, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all found to be related to his service-connected conditions.,Further evaluation is needed to determine the specific nature of these relationships.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a prostate disability, left ear hearing loss, low back disability, right ankle disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a heart disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were not caused by his active duty service.

The Board remands the case to obtain outstanding private treatment records from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to their already service-connected psychiatric and musculoskeletal disabilities. The decision is based on evidence that suggests OSA was caused by the Veteran's weight gain, which in turn was linked to their service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU and a higher evaluation for their mental disorder have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The appeal will be dismissed, but individuals who may be eligible for substitution can request it within one year of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran is granted an initial 100 percent disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder effective from August 20, 2015.,The Veteran is also granted TDIU and DEA benefits effective from August 20, 2015.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically adjustment disorder with depressed mood, is rated at 70 percent. The decision grants this rating based on the severity of symptoms including depression, anxiety, and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his active service.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder and intermittent explosive disorder, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine condition, lower left extremity sciatica, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.