Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence of the Veteran's level of exposure to ionizing radiation in service, and thus cannot establish service connection based on such exposure. The claim for Parkinson's disease was denied as there is no medical evidence supporting a link between the condition and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired respiratory disability, manifested by blastomycosis, is not related to service. The claim for an innocently acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in evidentiary findings and a need for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is not related to his military service. The Veteran's skin disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. New evidence shows current diagnoses of these conditions.,However, the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records from his periods of National Guard and USAR service, as well as any in-patient hospital records from Hennepin County Mental Health Hospital. The appeal is now pending again with the RO/AMC.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected mechanical mid-low back strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and his claims for acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea are granted. The claim for a disability manifested by fatigue remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a disability of the gums and related secondary claims. The Veteran did not have a diagnosed gum condition during service or at any time since.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The right shoulder disorder issue remains pending.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition is found to be caused by his service-connected neurosyphilis syndrome, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed as there is no legal basis to support such a claim.,The Veteran's claim alleging CUE in the February 2007 rating decision was also dismissed without prejudice, as his allegations did not meet the specific requirements for a claim based on CUE.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and decreased memory due to TBI was granted with an effective date of June 26, 1992. The right knee scars are rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the claimant's preexisting psychiatric disorder did not worsen during service and was not aggravated by military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thyroid disorder, hypertension, and psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia) are not related to service. The conditions were not manifest in service or within one year of separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a diagnosis and nexus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD, to include anxiety disorder NOS. The Veteran's claimed conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, and he is now entitled to a 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. His left lower extremity radiculopathy remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder and whether it is related to his service or his service-connected knee disabilities. The case is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to the finding that his MVA was a result of willful misconduct. The Board is remanding the case for further clarification and examination.