Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for low back disorder, heart disorder (to include as secondary to service-connected disability), acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) (to include as secondary to service-connected disability), left knee disorder, and sleep apnea (to include as secondary to service-connected disability).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination because the Veteran is unable to attend an in-person examination. The examiner must determine if any acquired psychiatric disabilities are found and provide an opinion on whether each diagnosed disorder is at least as likely as not caused by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination, requiring a new evaluation and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions, finding no credible in-service stressor and insufficient evidence linking current diagnoses to military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, specifically his TBI and related conditions. The VA will verify the dates and types of the Veteran's service in the Army National Guard of Illinois and obtain his service treatment records from his first period of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, acquired psychiatric disorders (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), and residual pain from a gunshot wound to the lower back due to insufficient evidence of in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent regarding complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding whether schizophrenia is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected seizure disorder.

The Board has determined that there were duty to assist errors made by the AOJ prior to the September 2019 and January 2020 rating decisions, which warrant a remand for further action. The Veteran is being requested to be afforded VA examinations to determine the current nature and etiology of his left ear actinic keratosis and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied eligibility to agent fees based on the past-due benefits awarded in the September 2019 rating decision because the appellant is not eligible for direct payment of fees due to the initial decision being on an increased rating claim, which was part of a freestanding TDIU application.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted from June 22, 2016 onwards due to the combined impairment caused by service-connected disabilities limiting use of his right arm and causing psychological distress.

The appeal is denied as the appellant's character of discharge from military service constitutes a bar to payment of VA benefits, other than health care under Chapter 17. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and treatment purposes service connections for lumbar spine disability, fibromyalgia, and migraines are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his mental disorder prior to August 2, 2018 has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the appeal on October 11, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's reported in-service events and to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The Board has found that the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder was not for all possible diagnoses, and thus the issue of service connection for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability. The appeal will proceed under the Evidence Review Lane, with evidence limited to what was on record at the time of the June 2020 SSOC.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran needs to provide additional information about a reported incident in service and undergo VA examinations to determine his current diagnoses and their causes.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional records from non-VA care providers stored in Vista Imaging. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is now pending and will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the claims of service connection and evaluation for various conditions, including chronic right knee strain, acute cholecystitis, psoriatic arthritis, left knee disability (secondary to service-connected right knee disability), acquired psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. These matters are being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, is now granted as service-connected.,His bilateral hearing loss claim remains pending due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the onset of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions during service.