Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Board finds that recoupment of the payment of special separation benefits in the amount $17,118 from the Veteran's VA disability benefits is proper and required by law.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility on September 10, 2012 are granted as the services were for emergency treatment of an emergency condition and not feasibly available at a VA hospital.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and psychiatric disabilities do not warrant the requested increased ratings or TDIU prior to September 17, 2013. The thoracolumbar spine and skin disabilities are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete examinations and the need for supplemental opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and development were not substantially completed, and thus the appeal is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, a skin disorder, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and atopic dermatitis have been granted. Service connection is established for these conditions based on their relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and major depressive disorder, was incurred during his period of active duty. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and sleep apnea, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims. The claim for chest pain was also denied as there is no evidence of a compensable disability due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder that is related to military service or any event of service origin.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is found to have been incurred during his military service. The right ankle disorder has also been linked to his service and a rating of 30 percent is assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional psychiatric examination to assess any current psychiatric disorders and determine if they are related to service. The Veteran's prior diagnoses of depression will be considered, along with his active duty stress.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of a noncompensable rating for left knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to military service or due to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disease (coronary artery disease), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The claim for sinusitis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's underlying cause of death, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, was related to service and the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her psychiatric disorder and spondylolisthesis at L5-S1, prevent her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The decision also addressed the bifurcated issues of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.