Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for double vision and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, Bell's palsy, and vertigo as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected otitis externa. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, which is likely related to her military service. She also received a 100% disability rating for left knee arthritis due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition.,Service connection for TDIU remains pending as the issue is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD and a skin disability, to include tinea cruris, is denied as he does not have these conditions. The Veteran was previously granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is not related to his military service, including a left eye injury. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or a current disability related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep disorder, and balance disorder are not related to his military service or service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied her claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development on the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to verify his duty status with the Michigan Army National Guard (ARNG) from December 1986 to October 1992, and to attempt to verify additional stressors for PTSD. The VA examiner will provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during a period of active duty or is related to his service.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back condition, and headaches (also claimed as dizziness, vertigo, and labyrinthitis). The termination of separate evaluations for arthritis of the right shoulder and torn rotator cuff was found to be improper.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, depression, cardiovascular disability, lung disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case will be adjudicated again after the service connection issue is resolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a clarification of the VA examiner's opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including depression and schizophrenia, are not service-connected. The claim for hepatitis C is denied as the current condition is not shown to be due to an event or injury in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence, including treatment records and a PTSD examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including consideration of a potential clear and unmistakable error in a 1978 rating decision and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during the claim period or shortly before the claim was filed.