Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or within the first postservice year. The presumptive provisions for herbicide exposure do not apply due to lack of evidence of Vietnam service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection, including those involving lower back disorder, upper back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right leg disorder, left leg disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of a head injury, and seizure disorder. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a psychiatric disorder, and epilepsy. The claim for a chronic back disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including hypothyroidism, right shoulder disability, migraine headaches, urinary incontinence, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability and arthritis, are not etiologically related to her periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA). The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. As a result, the claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service, specifically active duty or ACDUTRA periods. The Veteran's Air Force Reserve service includes periods of ACDUTRA which may be relevant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, epididymitis, and diabetes mellitus type 2 are service-connected due to exposure to noise in service for hearing loss, treatment of epididymitis during active duty, and presumed exposure to herbicides respectively. The psychiatric disorder claim is pending as it relates to PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral leg disorder, a back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was set at July 23, 2012.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from December 2004. The Board has determined that the symptoms warrant a higher rating prior to October 27, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is service-connected, as it was incurred during active service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, headache, cervical spine, and acquired psychiatric disabilities are not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the lower extremities, right carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and a cervical spine disorder. The decision also addressed his claim for PTSD based on fear of hostile military activity due to his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's headaches and acquired psychiatric disorder are found to be related to his active service, with the headaches being attributed to a cervical spine injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for his psychiatric disorder and coronary heart disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn. The TDIU claim remains pending, and a VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his psychiatric disability and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and opinions from the May 2012 VA examiners regarding service connection for DM and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) and hernia were not incurred or aggravated by service, thus denying these claims.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the absence of certain records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new VA medical opinion to address service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that there is evidence of cervical spine arthritis in service, which satisfies the criteria for reconsidering the prior denial of service connection. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder was initially claimed as depression and memory loss but the claim has been broadened to include other psychiatric disabilities.