Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied. A disability rating of 40 percent for gout is granted. The criteria for increased ratings for thoracolumbar spondylosis of L5 with degenerative disc disease are not met prior to December 3, 2019 and subsequent to that date. Increased ratings for left knee and right knee disabilities are also denied. A separate rating of 10 percent for instability of the right knee is granted. The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) effective October 1, 2020 is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion and potential outstanding records. The Veteran should be given an opportunity to provide additional information, and a psychiatric examination is needed to determine if PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and several other issues were dismissed. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety, was reopened due to new evidence. Other claims remain pending.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of erectile dysfunction, migraines, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including mood disorders, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD) due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to insufficient evidence, including for left hip condition secondary to bilateral knee chondromalacia, right hip condition secondary to bilateral knee chondromalacia, degenerative arthritis of the spine, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder, is granted as service connected. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left wrist disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including a mood disorder, is at least as likely as not related to in-service symptoms such as sleep impairment and periods of depression and anxiety. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine with arthritis is granted as service connected.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which is now considered.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to failure of the Veteran to report for a VA examination. The examiner will need to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Schizophrenia, is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to October 2, 2015 was denied as the evidence did not show that he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted service connection. The issues of entitlement to service connection for OSA, kidney stones, type 2 diabetes mellitus, a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for PTSD was granted, and she is now service-connected for an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD. Her hypothyroidism rating has been increased to 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with corroborating the Veteran's in-service stressor involving personal assault and need for a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and the alleged in-service stressor.

The Board granted an effective date of June 4, 2009 for the award of service connection for schizophrenia and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board denied service connection for cervical dysplasia and COPD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder, finding it at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current condition had onset in or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is aggravated by his service-connected hiatal hernia and right knee disorders. The VA examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion on this issue.