Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding potential exposure to nerve agents and other chemicals during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that his lumbar spine disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, and denying separate ratings for radiculopathy. The left ankle sprain was also found to have moderate limitation of motion.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor event and thus denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not have onset during service and were not otherwise etiologically related to an event, injury, or disease in service. The psychiatric disability was determined to be a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on in-service stressors. The neck disability is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to the in-service injury.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sickle cell disease. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to a failure to issue a statement of the case.

The Board found no credible evidence of in-service stressors or a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, chronic pancreatitis, gout (secondary to chronic pancreatitis), and GERD has been granted. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence supports a finding that the Veteran is currently diagnosed with bipolar II disorder which is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and his right eye injury with scar is not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to appear at a previously scheduled hearing. The case will be rescheduled for another Board hearing.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as passive aggressive personality with suicide attempt) in August 1986. The claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was not addressed.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than chronic adjustment disorder. The Board finds no indication in the record that his service connection for residuals of a TBI includes any psychiatric disability.,There is no evidence showing a current diagnosis of right hand burns or their residuals. The Veteran's pre-service injury healed without complications and did not cause any ongoing issues.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral pes planus. His service entry examination noted the presence of bilateral pes planus, but there is no indication in the record that it worsened during his active duty service or caused any residuals.,There is no evidence showing a current diagnosis of left femur fracture or its residuals. The Veteran's pre-service injury was not aggravated by his military service and he does not have ongoing symptoms related to this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, verify stressors, and provide updated opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder and left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need to consider whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior rating decision denying service connection for a nervous condition. The case will be returned to the Board after considering this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and psychiatric disability were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil with metastasis to the left neck and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, which were related to his military service, caused or contributed to his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.