Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of his pre-service mental health history.

The Board found that the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorder did not begin during a period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and thus denied service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, claimed as schizophrenia, was not related to his active service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 12, 2002 for diabetes mellitus was granted. The earliest possible effective date is December 12, 2003.,The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent rating for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 8, 2003.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for hypertension, finding no new and material evidence. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or chloracne, nor is diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), skin disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing and his inability to notify VA of his change of address.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for residuals of a right ankle sprain and residuals of a right elbow dislocation were denied as the evidence did not show that his disabilities warranted compensable ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia. The claim for a back disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any event in service associated with the lower back. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and that his upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, shrapnel wounds of both legs, and a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other conditions during service that would support these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses include major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, which are more likely than not related to situational stressors during active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and finds that it is etiologically related to her active duty service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, was linked to military sexual trauma she experienced during service.

The Veteran's schizophrenia has been rated at 70 percent prior to July 18, 2012. The Board has now granted a 100 percent rating for the period prior to July 18, 2012.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for hearing loss, left ear and sleep apnea. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (specifically major depressive disorder) is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, various diagnosed psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine osteoarthritis, right thigh compressive neuropathy, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to secure additional medical opinions and service department records. The claims of service connection for various disabilities are inextricably intertwined and must be considered concurrently.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to a reported sexual assault during service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, had onset during his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a DRO hearing. The issues include service connection claims and rating assignment.