Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military experiences as a combat medic in Vietnam. Service connection for a right foot injury is also granted based on new evidence received since the final denial of the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU as there was no evidence of a diagnosis or etiology related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and schizophrenia, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination. The case will be reviewed after additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric condition related to service, specifically PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding of an in-service stressor and the VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's anxiety is due to malingering.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The remaining issues have been referred for further development.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's diagnosed depressive disorder and whether it is related to his service. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and MDD) were denied as there was no evidence to support service connection. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition in service or during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder. For bilateral hearing loss, the VA examiners have concluded that the current hearing disability is not related to service.

The Board found insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor of MST and concluded that there is no link between his current psychiatric disorder and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will handle any further development as required.

The Veteran requested a hearing but did not attend. The Board received notification of his withdrawal of appeals for the neck and back disorder issues prior to issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and left eye blindness were denied in an April 2002 Board decision. No new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was not found to be related to his service and is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent for limitation of extension, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was characterized as encompassing any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a major depressive disorder, is related to his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected psychiatric disability and concluded that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition. The claim for DIC benefits under § 1318 is also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, paranoid type. The case is now remanded to determine if the condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing clarifying opinions regarding service connection for psychiatric symptoms and a lumbar spine disorder, as well as the appropriate disability rating for his right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is found to be related to his service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.