Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claims for ocular hypertension of the left eye, gastrointestinal disorder, sleep apnea, and fibromyalgia are all denied due to lack of a direct link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of post operative residuals of left acromioclavicular separation was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side or ankylosis, and the highest available rating is 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his reports of sexual assaults in service were not verified and that any mental health issues he experienced are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, eye disorder (claimed as eye sight), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The evidence did not establish a direct link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD were denied as there was no evidence of a service-connected condition causing or aggravating the disorders, nor did he experience any in-service stressors that would support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety neurosis, as part of the Veteran's already service-connected PTSD. Service connection is also granted for neurodermatitis, as part of the Veteran's already service-connected lichen simplex chronicus.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and adjudication, including affording the Veteran a hearing before the Decision Review Officer and the issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, pulmonary fibrosis due to asbestos exposure, hernia due to exploratory surgery (flexible sigmoidoscopy), and low back condition. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing, and no further action is required from the RO at this time.

The Board has found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depression and anxiety disorder NOS, was aggravated by his service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic paranoid schizophrenia, finding that his symptoms were incurred in active service and resolving any doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression, low back disability, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, hip disability, muscle spasms, gout, sleep disorder, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability involving depression or PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing clarification on the service connection theory.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, including as a residual of a head injury sustained during service, was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of stressors and audiometric evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination for his bilateral knee disabilities and readjudication of the TDIU claim. The acquired psychiatric disorder issue must also be addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The acquired psychiatric disorder was not shown to be related to service or any disability incurred therein, gastritis is presumed to be due to service, and the left shoulder disability has no evidence of being related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disability, schizophrenia, did not begin during service or due to any incident therein. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.