Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg disorder, back disorder, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a left shoulder disability during service and determined that the current left shoulder disability is not related to service. The hypertension, elbow, wrist, back, radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, and psychiatric disabilities were also denied as not related to service.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety, incurred or aggravated during service. The VA examination report did not support a diagnosis of PTSD based on DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is found to be related to her service. The low back condition is not shown to be causally related to service or presumed due to exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no diagnosed condition. The claim for a right eye disorder is denied as the decrease in vision is attributed to macular degeneration and not related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hand disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The case is remanded to schedule VA examinations and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 60 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5237 for intervertebral disc syndrome. The Board finds that the evidence supports this rating as it includes incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome lasting at least six weeks during the past twelve months.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The claims of service connection, higher initial ratings for the psychiatric disability, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined and must be readjudicated together.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, type II diabetes, and nephrolithiasis. However, these claims were subsequently denied on the merits.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, residuals of an insect bite to the left groin (claimed as a knot on the leg), and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression and anxiety).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed acquired mental disorder, memory problems, and headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he was not service-connected for any disability at the time of the treatment and his Medicare coverage precludes reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 31, 1990, for the grant of a 100 percent rating for service-connected schizophrenia is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including respiratory disorders, dysphagia, low back disorders, leg and foot disorders, psychiatric disorders, Dupuytren's contracture of the hands, substance abuse disorder, liver disorder, sleep disorders, and headaches. The appeals are currently remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied a motion to revise or reverse the January 1991 decision that granted a 70 percent rating for service-connected schizophrenia, finding no clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides while on active duty in the Republic of Vietnam, and has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted.,The Veteran has contended he developed PTSD due to stressors related to his military service in the Republic of Vietnam. The competent medical evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD, and the Board finds it at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, erectile dysfunction, and vertigo are all secondary to his service-connected disabilities (asthma and tachycardia). As such, these claims have been granted.