Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The left lower extremity scars are not compensable.

The Board has granted service connection for atypical bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to an assault during basic training in 1980. The decision is based on credible evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizophrenia, is granted as secondary to an in-service personal assault.

The claims for left and right knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a relationship to service. The claim for herpes was granted with an effective date of March 2, 2020, but the Veteran's appeal seeks an earlier effective date which is denied. The claim for a compensable rating for herpes is denied due to lack of active symptoms and treatment. The claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is also denied as there were no such disabilities during the period in question.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to in-service events, but additional evidence and a new medical opinion are needed before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to procedural errors. The Board found that a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted for his left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted for his left distal fibular fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition was incurred or aggravated by military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied because there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to in-service exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including her acquired psychiatric disorder and multiple joint issues, require regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is granted, and his gastrointestinal disabilities are rated at 50 percent. The appeal for other service connection claims is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher staged initial ratings for acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee limitation of extension with degenerative joint disease, meniscal tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and scar, right knee limitation of extension with degenerative joint disease, meniscal tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and scar, and entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation purposes due to individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error in obtaining a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability. The claim will be reconsidered with this information.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA medical examination and obtain relevant Social Security Administration records, as these are necessary for proper adjudication of the service connection claim.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left foot disorder, GERD, and hypertension. The erectile dysfunction claim is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.,A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has a left foot disorder, GERD, and hypertension. A medical opinion is also required regarding whether any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 18, 2015 for a 70 percent disability rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability that includes specified trauma-stressor related disorder and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bunion left foot and psychiatric disabilities, including paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is remanded due to errors in the duty to assist.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been remanded due to the need for further examination or evidence in several cases. The left knee strain claim remains denied, as does all other individual conditions except for those related to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for left and right lower extremity frostbite, headaches, acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and kidney disease have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,The Veteran's low back disability claim has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to errors in applying the 'clearly and unmistakably' standard, and because of inadequacy of the VA examination.