Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 14, 2005 for SMC based on housebound status is granted. The decision finds that the Veteran has a single disability rated as total (left knee disability via extraschedular TDIU from February 25, 2005) and separate service-connected disabilities ratable at a combined 60 percent disabling (acquired psychiatric disorder at 70 percent from July 14, 2005), as required by the law.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left hand index finger fracture was denied as the disability is already at its maximum assigned rating.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service, and no chronicity or continuity of symptomatology was established.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as insomnia), requiring a VA examiner to provide a nexus opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendinitis is granted service connection and assigned a non-compensable rating.,The Veteran's tinea cruris is denied an increased rating as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal for a separate compensable rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder in addition to the residuals of his traumatic brain injury (TBI) was denied.,The appeal regarding discontinuation of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance was dismissed as not timely filed.

The appellant withdrew his appeal of the proposed reduction in disability rating for primary insomnia disorder before a decision was made. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability other than insomnia (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is granted service connection. The Veteran's sleep apnea, which was already in receipt of a 50% evaluation, is denied an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's spouse applied for PCAFC benefits on the Veteran's behalf. The Board found that the Veteran requires personal care services due to a need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision without which his ability to function in daily life would be seriously impaired. However, the AOJ must obtain an opinion as to whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program before making a final determination on eligibility.

The Board has granted effective dates of August 11, 2023 for the grant of service connection for GERD, chronic gastritis, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA opinion and the need for an addendum opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, and a traumatic brain injury condition are remanded due to procedural errors in scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ will obtain all available service department records and provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. Service connection for a back disability, right knee limitation of flexion, bilateral shin splints, and chronic headaches were all granted with specific ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety) and headaches, as secondary to a psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support the claimed in-service stressor related to PTSD or establish a nexus between the current psychiatric disorders and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left inguinal hernia, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression), and hypertension due to secondary to a service-connected right shoulder disability. The AOJ is required to provide addendum VA medical opinions and consider all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to an in-service assault by Dr. K at Fort Rucker and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of a claim prior to the effective dates granted in earlier decisions.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, effective February 26, 2024.,An initial rating of 70 percent for the acquired psychiatric disorder from January 15, 2021 to February 4, 2024 was granted.

The Board has found that new evidence warrants reconsideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to the lack of a causal relationship between the Veteran's current disability and his in-service stressors, as well as the inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.