Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and obtain VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service onset or causation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, claimed as due to military sexual trauma (MST), is being remanded for additional development and consideration.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. The evidence shows a nexus between her current conditions and her military sexual trauma during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining the Veteran's service personnel records and arranging for a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a hearing. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder, to include major depressive disorder, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified; entitlement to a higher initial disability rating for posttraumatic stress disorder; and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability are now before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for the healed scar on the right buttock/hip and a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The cervical spine disability is not considered to be related to active service.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability related to service for the claimed right elbow disorder. The Veteran's statements regarding his right elbow injury are not supported by medical evidence and thus do not establish a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether this condition is caused or aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirement for assignment of a TDIU and are reasonably shown to render him unable to secure and follow a substantial gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of those related to PTSD and depressive disorder. The remaining conditions are either already established or not yet determined.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, acquired psychiatric disability (insomnia and depression), numbness of bilateral upper arms, headaches, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine prior to August 20, 2009 and after October 31, 2009 are denied.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure to report for a VA examination, and because both issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hepatitis C was denied as the evidence did not show intermittent fatigue, malaise, and anorexia or incapacitating episodes with symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, arthralgia, and right upper quadrant pain.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include as secondary to hepatitis C was denied. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to active duty service or his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claim remains pending as it is unclear whether service connection should be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a dorsal spine disability, degenerative lumbar spine disorder, head injury/traumatic brain injury, memory loss, right ear and eye fluttering, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), cervical spine disability, left leg disorder to include genu varum of the knee, pulmonary disability to include asbestosis, generalized arthritis, right leg disorder to include genu varum of the knee, and migraine headaches have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing a direct connection between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability may have caused or aggravated his hypertension.