Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental health condition, including schizophrenia, was dismissed because the appeal was improperly docketed under the AMA review system.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder with depression is granted with an effective date of August 4, 2019. The issue of earlier effective date for TDIU prior to May 12, 2021, is remanded.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death to allow for readjudication based on new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and insufficient opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The Veteran contends his PTSD is related to an assault during service, but no records from Fort Jackson are available for review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) is denied.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that symptoms began during or immediately after service and supported by lay statements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was also denied as his symptoms are already at the maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's effective date for a total disability rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder is set to January 17, 2021. The Board also granted the earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist and remands are required for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a skin disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and insomnia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence when the claims are readjudicated.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including alcohol use in sustained remission, other specified depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is attributable to service. The head injury with headaches claim is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC HB was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for SMC HB based on his service-connected disabilities and unemployability.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability was increased to a 70 percent rating from April 25, 2019. The evidence showed occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, with anxious distress, anxiety, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and adjustment disorder with depression. The claim is based on the Veteran's in-service symptoms and post-service treatment records.

The Board dismissed the appeal seeking revision or reversal based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the February 9, 2004 rating decision that denied service connection for PTSD but did not adjudicate the issue of service connection for schizophrenia.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ needs to provide an adequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA standards.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD and diagnosed as insomnia disorder, is also denied due to lack of a diagnosis matching the criteria for PTSD or other mental health condition.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as she is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, finding that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.