Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for schizophrenia, unspecified with cocaine use disorder is granted. The appeal for an earlier effective date for lumbosacral strain is dismissed as it was not a valid issue.

The Veteran's GERD, lumbar spine condition, tinnitus, and psychiatric disability are all granted service connection.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their onset during active duty.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of hypertension due to a pending development. The issues of increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea with COPD and psychiatric disability (including anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder) are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, lower back, and acquired psychiatric disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung or respiratory condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and his right knee disability. The issues of increased rating and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent since September 7, 2022. The Board has remanded the case for further consideration.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 25, 2005 for the award of service connection for neuropsychiatric condition and depression. The claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, glaucoma, and headaches have been dismissed as moot.,An initial rating of 50 percent for the period prior to May 16, 2024, for headaches has been granted with a current effective date of May 16, 2024.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology and current diagnoses. The case will need to be reviewed with a new medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for back disability manifested by pain and bilateral knee disability manifested by pain. The claim of service connection for psychiatric disability is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heat exhaustion, lumbar spine condition, obstructive sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and OCD), and opiate addiction due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is not competent to provide medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TBI are both denied.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his service in Iraq from December 17, 2003, to July 26, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation of 50 percent, but not higher, for service-connected mild neurocognitive disorder with adjustment disorder (claimed as acquired psychiatric disorder and memory loss) is granted. The disability most closely approximates a 50 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability prevents him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation, and he is granted a TDIU effective August 2, 2002.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in the VA Form 21-526EZ and VA examination report. The Board will consider additional evidence, including the complete statement on the Veteran's VA Form 21-526EZ and his service treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The claim for an acquired mental disorder, including bipolar disorder, is remanded as there was no readjudication after a November 2020 rating decision. The claim for lumbar spine disability (claimed as pain) is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and the retrieval of clinical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with duty to assist, substantial compliance, and need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's diabetes is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder or gastrointestinal condition.