Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, thoracic aortic aneurysm, and coronary artery disease with history of myocardial infarction. The appeals were decided on the merits without any presumption of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for schizophrenia and glaucoma, finding new and material evidence. The claims are now pending before the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran does not experience current disability due to PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include persistent depressive disorder, which could be attributed to active service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, heart disability, damaged teeth, bilateral shoulder disability, and low back disability are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disability was aggravated during his second and third periods of service, leading to a grant of service connection for this condition. The back disability is also presumed to have been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in active service and the Board grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records, verify service dates and duty status, and ensure all claims are properly considered. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that a new VA psychiatric examination is necessary to properly adjudicate the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to chronic lumbar myositis. The Veteran's contentions and previous diagnoses will be considered in this process.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sinusitis and a psychiatric disorder due to inadequate examination reports, incomplete medical records, and need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The claims are now considered on their merits.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was rated at 10 percent effective September 22, 2015. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for clarification on whether the Veteran wishes to pursue certain claims. Additionally, an examination is needed to assess his functional limitations caused by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the case.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine DJD. The case is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is not related to service. Service connection for hepatitis C due to Agent Orange exposure in Korea is granted. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are presumed to be caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of all theories of entitlement.

The Board has determined that a new VA psychiatric examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to service or preexisted service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the submission of new evidence after a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) was issued in September 2015.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and grants service connection for this condition. For his acquired psychiatric disorder, the Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of secondary service connection.