Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has requested a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including paranoid schizophrenia, PTSD, depressive disorder, and substance abuse disorder. The examination is needed due to conflicting statements in the clinical record regarding the presence of pre-service psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases for discounting the Veteran's suicidal ideation and reliance on the September 2019 VA examination. Further development is needed, including a new VA medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD) and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has been denied. The Veteran is still seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, acquired psychiatric disorder (dysthymia), and sleep disturbances and night sweats. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome or establish that the Veteran's dysthymia began during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's claim for a back disorder is reopened, but further development is needed as there are still unresolved issues regarding the nature of his claimed conditions.

The Board has found the VA examination inadequate and remanded for further analysis of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including its onset during service and any aggravation by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include right shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, neck, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further research and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a need for further development including obtaining an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder and a military sexual trauma (MST) incident during service. The case will be reviewed for a new VA examination or telehealth interview.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headache, acquired psychiatric disability, sleep disability (including sleep apnea and insomnia), and lumbar spine disability are all granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current headache disability related to his active duty service in the U.S. Air Force, an acquired psychiatric disability likely due to service-connected TBI residuals, and a lumbar spine disability possibly related to a personal assault sustained during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted for OSA or an acquired psychiatric disability, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate examination reports and the need for a medical nexus opinion regarding the relationship between his acquired psychiatric disorder and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and tension headaches as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetic retinopathy, chloracne, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including a VA examination or medical opinion to determine if the appellant's discharge under other than honorable conditions was due to willful misconduct. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and incomplete records, including service treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms are being evaluated again for possible service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 30 percent prior to June 24, 2021 and denied for a higher rating. The initial compensable rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was granted effective May 27, 2021.