Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a duty-to-assist error and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claim is now considered on all psychiatric diagnoses, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine the severity of his acquired psychiatric disorder from May 6, 2018 to July 1, 2019.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of SMC aid and attendance based on need for regular aid and attendance from October 19, 2021. The Veteran's VA treatment records showed he was not permanently bedridden or so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance prior to October 19, 2021.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in multiple service-connected disabilities have been dismissed. A TDIU has been granted due to the combined effect of his psychiatric and physical disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that his symptoms are related to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right hand disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's participation in willful misconduct during service is considered a bar to establishing service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder was granted, with an initial 50% rating from February 7, 2017, and a subsequent increase to 30% thereafter. The Board has now granted a 70% rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeals for various disability ratings and service connection claims due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of acquired psychiatric disabilities, left lower extremity sciatica nerve disability, and right lower extremity disability are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Board will provide a VA examination to address the issues.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current diagnosis and the claimed in-service stressor.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no persuasive evidence of a current disability that comports with VA regulations.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted, but the effective dates are not earlier than September 15, 2020. Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is also denied.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is found to have started during his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran was granted service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, Parkinson's disease due to Gulf War exposure, dry eyes secondary to Parkinson's disease, incontinence secondary to Parkinson's disease, and a psychiatric disability (dementia) secondary to Parkinson's disease.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was also granted service connection as secondary to his Parkinson's disease.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus between the current condition and service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it had its onset during his active duty service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is also granted.

Service connection is granted for sciatica of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection is denied for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and cervical spine disability are inextricably intertwined with the sciatica claims and will be remanded.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of April 9, 2018 for a 70 percent disability rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder, the award of TDIU, and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature, etiology, and relationship of any mental health disorders to service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hip disability, and right hip disability. The appeal for a right knee disability is remanded, as well as the one for a low back disability and psychiatric disability.