Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine arthritis with degenerative disc disease, acquired psychiatric disorder including unspecified depression, and sleep apnea, combine to a 70 percent rating. The Board finds the evidence in balance as to whether these conditions prevent the Veteran from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is now rated at 100 percent effective September 26, 2013. The issue of entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for his service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The acquired psychiatric disability, asthma, COPD, and sleep apnea are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, foot rash/fungus, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year thereafter.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current hypertension and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected musculoskeletal and psychiatric disabilities, which prevent her from performing physical or sedentary work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than unspecified insomnia, a bladder or urinary disorder, and GERD have been denied. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his headache disability has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including SSA records and VA treatment records. The issues are related to his service-connected tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination prior to the May 2020 rating decision. The examiner is requested to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service and specifically to his assignment with Joint Task Force Six.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was characterized by occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. The Board granted an initial increased rating of 70 percent for the condition.

New evidence has been presented supporting the Veteran's claims for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral hip disorders, lumbar spine disorder.,The Board finds that new and relevant evidence has been submitted in support of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury was denied, while his claim for an acquired psychiatric condition (specifically anxiety) was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral feet frost bite has been granted due to new and relevant evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neoplasm osteochondroma distal right femur and proximal right tibia has been granted due to new and relevant evidence.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the March 2021 NOD is invalid and does not meet the requirements for appeal.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound has been resolved. The VA awarded SMC effective February 8, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral flatfeet and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's pes planus was noted on entry, but there is uncertainty about whether it worsened during service. For the psychiatric claim, the Veteran had treatment for depression in service, and the Board finds that remand is needed to determine if his current condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a procedural error in failing to notify him of his right to a pre-decisional hearing before the AOJ issued its decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated as compensable, but service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee strain, and urticaria face, neck, back are granted.,Service connection is established for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee strain, and urticaria face, neck, back. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and secondary substance abuse, was denied. The effective date cannot be earlier than June 28, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disability, left shoulder disability, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and right lower extremity disability was dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.