Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities due to lack of a current diagnosis for PTSD and failure to cooperate with VA examination requests.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran does not have such a condition related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee, right foot and ankle, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The issues have been remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss and a psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has found that further development is necessary before it can adjudicate the Veteran's claim on the merits, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. David M. O'Brien and scheduling a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of a psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and a separate compensable rating for gastritis due to incomplete development and lack of adequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, cervical spine disability, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity are all granted service connection. The claims were initially denied in a November 2010 rating decision but have been reconsidered due to additional evidence obtained after that decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if her employment from February 10, 1998, to December 31, 2003, was marginal or substantially gainful under the guidance provided by VA regulations. The AOJ must also obtain a retrospective medical opinion addressing the functional effects of her service-connected psychiatric disability prior to January 1, 2004.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at a 70 percent rating for the appeal period prior to April 26, 2017. The claim for higher ratings on irritable bowel syndrome and TDIU remains pending.

Service connection is granted for cervical strain, to include cervical disc herniation.,Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety).,Temporary total evaluation (TTE) for convalescence following October 27, 2017, neck surgery is remanded.,Service connection is remanded for a scar, status post appendectomy.,Service connection is also remanded for migraines, to include as secondary to service-connected neck condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions during and after service, including his incarceration. The Veteran is required to provide information about any arrests or incarcerations from prior to service and into the present day.

The Board has granted the challenge to the propriety of the overpayment in the amount of $21,851 and dismissed the claim for a waiver of this debt.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, is related to service. The preexisting condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted. However, the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's back condition is rated at a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of his claim. His acquired mental disorder (including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) is rated at a 70 percent rating, also effective from the date of his claim.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a skin rash on the right ankle and granted it. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and hypertension are remanded due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was denied, as the evidence did not support symptoms consistent with a higher rating. The claim for TDIU prior to March 7, 2022, was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not rendering him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, low back disorder, and radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including PTSD and psychiatric conditions, sleep apnea, migraines, prostate cancer, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ. The reasons for these remands include inadequate VA opinions and inextricably intertwined service connection theories.