Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and its relationship to service, particularly his in-service lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA criteria.,The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity are remanded due to incomplete service records and potential inconsistencies in the Veteran's DD Form 214 and Service Personnel Records.,The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as mood swings and/or depression) is remanded due to incomplete service records and potential inconsistencies in the Veteran's DD Form 214 and Service Personnel Records.,The claims for lower back disability and skin disability are remanded due to incomplete service records and potential inconsistencies in the Veteran's DD Form 214 and Service Personnel Records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating and service connection for a psychiatric disorder with alcohol use disorder is granted, but the effective date prior to July 3, 2014 remains denied.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis, and schizophrenia. The Veteran maintains her symptoms began during active duty, and a private examiner opined it was at least as likely as not related to her service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The case will be returned for further medical evaluation and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder, to include psoriasis, was dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing the issue. The appeals for service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss were denied.,No effective date prior to August 13, 2018 was granted as the claim was not received by VA before that date.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a neck disability, and several other conditions. The remaining claims are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability as secondary to the service-connected disabilities of the back, kidney, and neurogenic bladder.,New evidence was submitted supporting the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error regarding SSA records, which were not obtained before the November 2020 rating decision and are outside of the applicable evidentiary windows.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a stomach condition (GERD), psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Veteran's claims for acquired psychiatric condition, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right big toe condition, tinnitus, and left leg condition are remanded due to the need for additional examinations focusing on conditions incurred or aggravated during the honorable period of service.

The Veteran's claim for right foot arthritis was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is now granted.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (GAD) was found to be incurred in the line of duty, with no indication of willful misconduct or unauthorized absence. Service connection is granted.,Bilateral metatarsalgia (Morton's disease) was found to have been incurred in the line of duty and not due to willful misconduct. Service connection is granted.,Bilateral hallux valgus (bunions) was found to have been incurred in the line of duty and not due to willful misconduct. Service connection is granted.,Bilateral pes planus (fallen arches) was found to have been incurred in the line of duty and not due to willful misconduct. Service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder. The issues are related to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including headaches (migraines), neurological signs and symptoms, psychiatric disability, hip disabilities, knee disabilities, plantar fasciitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, obstructive sleep apnea, fatigue, hypertension, glaucoma, and optic atrophy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims during his March 2021 Board hearing.,The appeals were withdrawn by the Veteran in writing prior to the promulgation of a decision by the Board.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examination reports and insufficient reasoning in previous decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headaches are granted a 50 percent disability rating prior to October 4, 2021. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities and TBI residuals remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to August 30, 2013 has been dismissed as the matter was resolved in favor of the Veteran by an October 2023 Board decision that granted a TDIU and SMC from July 12, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, low back disability, variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depression), hypertension, and left ear hearing loss. The maximum schedular rating of 10% is assigned for tinnitus.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied.,Service connection for a headache disorder, including migraines, is denied.