Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder are all granted. The Veteran does not have ratable hearing loss but his hearing has worsened more than 10 dB from his entrance to his exit physical at least at one of the ratable frequencies.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for depression, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased rating and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service personal assault stressor is credible and has granted service connection for PTSD. The diagnoses of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are also supported by the evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia were not incurred in or caused by his service, but did not find sufficient evidence to grant service connection for PTSD. The claim was denied as there is no credible evidence of a stressor related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issues of hepatitis C, residuals of a stroke, cervical spine disability, and psychiatric disability. The Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these matters.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and granted it. The decision also addressed his claim for GERD as secondary to his psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development including a VA psychiatric examination, treatment records retrieval, and scheduling of a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disability, however diagnosed. The claim for PTSD is reopened.

The Veteran's recurrent major depression, schizoaffective disorder, and paranoid schizophrenia resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen these claims. The low back disorder is being considered secondary to his service-connected bilateral feet and ankle disorders, while the psychiatric disorder claim remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for PTSD and found that no new and material evidence had been submitted. The Veteran's service in Vietnam was not confirmed, and he did not provide any credible evidence supporting his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and substance abuse disorders were not incurred or aggravated by military service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Andrews Mental Health Center. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise on whether the Veteran's hepatitis C and acquired psychiatric disorder are related to service. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and his claims for higher ratings or service connection are denied. His acquired psychiatric disorders are not service-connected as PTSD did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence to support a secondary relationship with his sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities and whether they are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including verifying an alleged stressor and obtaining VA examinations to assess his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied, with the exception of his claim for schizophrenia which was granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric, respiratory, or sleep disorders. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further action.