Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, previously rated as PTSD, is now granted a 50 percent rating from July 17, 2019 to January 26, 2024.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for brucellosis and related secondary conditions must be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the initial rating decisions. The Veteran was exposed to Southwest Asia during his military service, but the medical opinion provided did not adequately address this exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rate of SMC based on PTSD was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for SMC at any higher rates.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, was incurred during his time in service and granted the appeal to reverse the severance of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's OSA and his service-connected conditions, including his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, unspecified mood disorder, and right knee condition are granted service connection. The claims for allergic rhinitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and temporomandibular disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for a VA examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being considered based on his in-service personal assault.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and earlier effective dates for various disabilities, including erectile dysfunction, migraines, hip disorders, lower extremity disorders, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including alcohol use disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, somatic symptoms disorder and depressive disorder), lateral epicondylitis of the right elbow, left wrist pain with carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist pain with carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, tension headaches, and chronic bronchitis have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's chronic bronchitis was not manifest during service and is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service-connected disability compensation for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues of compensable disability ratings for dyspnea and left ear hearing loss were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a groin condition. The remaining issues of service connection for left hip contusion, left foot disability, low back injury, and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from April 11, 2018. The rating reflects the severity of his symptoms and impairment in most areas.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to symptoms consistent with the current 70 percent evaluation. The lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board has determined this to be appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as a 'social adjustment disorder') including PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not meet DSM-5 criteria for PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder.

Service connection for a cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis is granted. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left hip strain, limitation of extension is denied. Entitlement to psychiatric disorder (borderline personality disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder) is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, sinusitis, TMJ, rosacea and herpetic whitlow, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of current disability. The issues of rating higher than 10 percent for TMJ and rosacea and herpetic whitlow have been remanded.

The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran's request for a Higher-Level Review (HLR) of a March 2023 HLR rating decision was untimely and invalid. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and migraine headaches, but denied all other claims due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards for a current disability.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the remaining issues due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.