Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim was based on his depressive disorder and anxiety, which were granted with a 50% evaluation as of December 5, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition contributed to his cause of death. The appellant contends that the psychiatric condition led to heart issues, and VA needs to provide an adequate opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's request for a higher-level review of his January 2009 rating decision was denied because the request was not timely filed within one year of the decision.

The Veteran's right ankle, right knee, left knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are all found to be related to his military service.,His acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were not related to his in-service events and instead linked to post-service stressors. Service connection was also denied for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as a TDIU award prior to May 22, 2012, was denied.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for the acquired psychiatric disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's bowel disturbance is granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran's service-connected fatigue as a symptom of her Multiple Sclerosis is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The rating for his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral knees, remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial rating for other specified mental disorder due to another medical condition was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's Crohn's disease (claimed as IBS, stomach issues, and pain) also had its initial rating of 30 percent denied.

The appeal as to the claim of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and left knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for SMC is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, as his limitations are primarily due to blindness and neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical examination to address the nature and etiology of any respiratory disability, including service connection based on herbicide exposure. The Veteran's psychiatric condition, back, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claim for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea was denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as anxiety), depression, insomnia, and social adjustment disorder were all denied due to the lack of persuasive evidence of a current disability during or shortly before the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective from January 13, 2013. The appeal for tension headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his right shoulder disability is granted, with an effective date prior to the May 27, 2023, VA Form 10182 submission.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, ankle, and knee pain conditions as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and GERD. The appeal for TDIU was also dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board also grants a separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for limitation of extension of the left knee and a separate disability rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for left knee instability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service experiences and stressors.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA treatment records that were scanned into the Veteran's file but not yet associated with his claims file need to be obtained.