Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral ankle and leg blister disorder, and scrotal blister disorder with tinea pedis have been granted increased disability ratings. The psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent since May 11, 2020; the ankle and leg blister disorder is rated at 10 percent prior to April 8, 2021, and 10 percent thereafter; and the scrotal blister disorder with tinea pedis are both rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression), allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, neck disability, colostomy, diverticulosis, bilateral foot condition, heart disability, hemorrhoids, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, back disability, colon polyps, prostate disability, and vertigo were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has decided that service connection for a head injury is denied. Service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and needs to obtain additional private treatment records and provide a new etiology opinion regarding the onset of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and rating of various disabilities, including back disability, psychiatric conditions, Graves' Disease with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, and bilateral exophthalmos. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service or if they have been aggravated by a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, which includes dysthymia, anxiety, schizophrenia, and alcohol use disorder, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board denied a higher rating as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70% or 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The Veteran's vertigo is remanded for further review due to insufficient evidence. Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and somatic symptom disorder) is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current tinnitus was incurred in or aggravated by his military service.,Service connection for psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is also denied, as there is no credible evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD during service and no post-service medical records showing symptoms consistent with PTSD within one year after discharge. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized by depression, anxiety, mild memory loss, hypervigilance, and sleep impairment, was found to warrant a uniform rating of 30 percent for the entire period on appeal. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus were granted with an effective date of March 16, 2017.

The Veteran's TBI-related conditions, including schizophrenia and myocardial infarction, require daily aid and attendance. Without this care, the Veteran would need institutionalized care due to his cognitive impairments.

The Veteran's service-connected CAD is associated with peripheral edema in his lower extremities, but the Board has remanded to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected condition.,The Veteran claims a psychiatric disability (claimed as insomnia) and this claim is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for left hand disability, left wrist disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic pleurisy has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis has also been denied due to lack of evidence showing greater than 50 percent obstruction on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding your claims of service connection for various conditions including an acquired psychiatric disability, diabetes mellitus, Type II, irritable bowel syndrome, low vision, sinusitis (claimed as unspecified sinus condition), dry and irritable eyes, tinnitus, a left shoulder disability, chronic left hip pain, and a bilateral foot disability. The appeals are dismissed due to the improper concurrent election of review options.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, is rated at a 70 percent disability level for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is granted as it is considered to be proximately due to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, fibromyalgia, and left shoulder strain are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The appeals are granted in part, with some issues remaining pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and Hepatitis B caused his obesity, which in turn caused his obstructive sleep apnea. As a result, the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is granted.