Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders. The Veteran's claims were based on exposure to environmental toxins during his deployment in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication due to additional VA medical evidence being added to the claims file. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again, and a decision will be made based on this new information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a pulmonary disorder are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and a prostate condition. The Board found that there was no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year post-service, and that they are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. He was seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, tremors, and a skin condition were granted. The decision did not address the secondary exposure to herbicide or diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service due to a lack of evidence showing it during or shortly after his military service. The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability and OSA is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee, lumbosacral spine, left shoulder, peripheral artery disease, and mental disorder conditions are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as a result of service. The claim for alcoholism secondary to a service-connected disability is precluded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the irregular heartbeat claim. The Board found that service connection for bilateral pes planus, a skin disorder claimed as acne and razor burn, and bilateral wrist disability is not warranted based on lack of evidence of an increase in severity during service or aggravation by service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected prostate cancer and its residuals, including urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a heart disability, hyperthyroidism, and a disability manifested by chronic pain and insomnia. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or that any such condition is related to service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, kidney disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are not deemed to be due to VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, verify his reported stressors, and schedule him for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, ulcers, and jungle rot of the feet.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding no new and material evidence that would support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he did not meet the criteria for either type of SMC at any point during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability was denied. His application for vocational rehabilitation and education benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code, was also denied.