Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and therefore denied this claim. The evidence did not establish a link between any diagnosed mental health condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than depression, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional treatment records and provide a VA addendum opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the validity of a debt of $3570.00 resulting from overpayment of VA pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and psychiatric disabilities are service-connected, with no issues remaining unresolved. The hearing testimony and medical records support these findings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to failure to schedule VA examinations, obtain additional medical records, and review the claims on appeal.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for hypertension, as there is no current diagnosis meeting VA criteria and the Veteran's STRs do not show hypertension during active duty. The most probative evidence indicates that hypertension was not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia, but denied service connection for anxiety disorder NOS and mood disorder NOS. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, acquired psychiatric disability (including dysthymic disorder), and PTSD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, NOS, based on continuous post-service symptoms that are presumed to have been incurred during active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added since the April 2014 VA Form-9, including VA generated treatment notes from April 2015. The Veteran and his representative are given an opportunity to respond to this supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), alcohol abuse disorder, acid reflux, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding exposure to Camp Lejeune and environmental toxins.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and a kidney disorder are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding in-service psychiatric treatment records and diagnoses.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for alcohol abuse disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding the relationship between his alcohol use and any diagnosed mental health conditions.,The Veteran's claim for acid reflux is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, musculoskeletal issues, eye problems, and gastrointestinal issues. The Board has determined that further medical examination and opinion are necessary to address the nature and etiology of these claims.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus have also been remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence provided since the last denial did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, stomach disorder, high cholesterol, and an eye disorder prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, alcohol induced bipolar disorder (also known as substance induced mood disorder), is not related to his in-service adjustment disorder with depressed mood and is caused by his abuse of alcohol.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not have onset or aggravation during his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His diabetes mellitus remains rated at 40 percent, and his diabetic retinopathy with early cataract changes is rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied service connection for urinary tract infections, left hip disability, right foot tendonitis, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis as secondary to the Veteran's Peyronie's disease. The other claims were not addressed in detail.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizoaffective disorder, depressive type, is related to his in-service consensual sexual encounter with a same-sex service member and grants service connection for this condition.