Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression), and lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The criteria for direct service connection have been met in all cases.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease was denied. The claim was granted on a presumptive basis under the Agent Orange Act of 1991, but the Board found that no earlier effective date could be assigned as there is no evidence showing the Veteran filed a claim within one year of his separation from active service in October 1967 or before May 3, 1989. The appeal for other conditions was also denied.

The Veteran's bladder cancer, acquired psychiatric disorder (persistent depressive disorder), atrial fibrillation with congested heart failure, and aortic aneurysm are all granted service connection as due to herbicide agent exposure during his Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate communication and need for a comprehensive psychiatric examination with someone present who knows the Veteran well.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis as a chronic respiratory condition is granted.,The claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for papillary bladder tumor residuals was dismissed. The petition to reopen his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, but the issues of service connection for drug and alcohol abuse as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder and drug and alcohol abuse are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of initial ratings for left foot arthritis and right ankle sprain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression. The reasons are that there were inadequate nexus opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's sleep apnea disorder was granted a 50% disability rating prior to October 1, 2020. A higher rating is denied since that date.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20% disability rating prior to May 7, 2018. A higher rating is denied since that date.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not warrant an initial compensable disability rating.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety) was granted a 70% disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and requests that he be given another opportunity to attend one.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right finger disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

Service connection for gout is granted. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability, psychiatric disability (including bipolar disorder), hepatitis C, and right wrist disability. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to service or caused by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran has been granted a TDIU from July 3, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (generalized anxiety disorder), memory loss, and erectile dysfunction. The skin disorder (tic) associated with generalized anxiety disorder is also granted on a secondary basis.,The Veteran's memory loss is found to be related to service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be related to service.,A skin disorder (tic), which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, is also found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are related to his active duty service. Service connection was denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's symptoms to his military service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for her psychiatric disorder from 50% to noncompensable effective March 1, 2017 is not proper and void ab initio. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, lumbar low back disability, right hip disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential issues with service connection.