Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric condition, have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since November 17, 2011. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The appeal concerning the service connection claims for mental disorder (PTSD), headache disorder, and left ear hearing loss is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has found the Veteran's November 2020 VA Form 9 was timely filed, and thus the appeal is remanded to address the merits of his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a semilunar cartilage condition of the left knee was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, as he does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating or a disability rating of 70 percent. For the left knee, the Veteran is granted a compensable disability rating (10%) effective January 13, 2021, for limitation of motion.

The Board has granted a 70% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder from June 25, 2013 to January 14, 2020. The case is remanded for further development regarding whether the Veteran is eligible for a higher than 70% rating prior to January 14, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete authorization forms from the appellant regarding his medical records from the Florida Department of Corrections. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining these records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and her increased rating for her psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was granted a rating in excess of 70 percent. Service connection for hypertension, right leg burn scar, and GERD were also granted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and a peripheral vestibular disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of gallbladder removal and a psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for fatty liver disease but has remanded the issues of service connection for unspecified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder (claimed as phobias) and a compensable disability rating for hypertension. The Veteran's fatty liver disease is found to be secondary to her service-connected total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with surgical induced early onset of menopause. Service connection for the psychotic disorder remains in dispute, requiring further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is granted a 100 percent rating effective from May 22, 1979. The issue of individual unemployability based on the service-connected disability is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) disability, and a migraine headache disability due to lack of evidence of current disabilities at any time during or recent to the filing of the claims.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for an eye disability due to potential errors in obtaining relevant medical records.,Specifically, the Veteran's VA treatment records do not indicate that audiometric testing was performed, which is necessary to determine if a hearing loss disability exists. Additionally, no opinion regarding the relationship between any current eye disability and service participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) has been provided.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a digestive disability, finding no evidence to support the Veteran's claims. The issue of readjudication of COPD and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, entitlement to a TDIU award, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance. The Veteran also withdrew his appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction is being remanded because the AOJ failed to consider all pertinent symptomatology, including depressive and anxiety-based symptoms, in determining whether there was a nexus between his current disability and military service. For the psychiatric disorder claim, the Board found that the AOJ committed duty-to-assist errors by primarily focusing on PTSD at the expense of other diagnoses.

The Board has remanded both issues for further review. The first issue is about service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the second is about whether the appellant's discharge from service was a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and a headache disorder as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.