Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his military service and he has been granted service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of service connection are being remanded as they involve complex medical determinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and psychiatric disorders are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and concluded that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for competency to receive direct payment of disability compensation benefits was denied because he refused a VA examination without good cause, and the preponderance of evidence shows that he lacks decision-making capacity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being needed, including obtaining and associating with the claims file all outstanding VA and private treatment records, including any records from the Vet Center in Columbus, Ohio.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety NOS and PTSD, is granted. The claim for wounds from shrapnel to the left wrist and upper middle chest remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, head injury, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The claim for migraine headaches was not addressed. The Veteran is found to have a need for aid and attendance due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia paranoid type, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder NOS, mood disorder, and schizoaffective disorder depressive type, is presumptively related to his service due to a diagnosis within one year of separation.

The Veteran's chronic vasomotor rhinitis with recurrent epistaxis is found to be related to service, and service connection for this condition is granted. The Board finds that additional development is needed for the remaining issues on appeal.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that the current examination report does not provide sufficient information to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and whether his symptoms are related to his in-service stressors. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression), erectile dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, and several types of neuropathy. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's schizophrenia existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder, is not related to his military service and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The lumbar spine condition was also found not to be related to service.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and her major depressive disorder is not service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and scars (bilateral knee) are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for PTSD and increased rating for benign skin growths remain unresolved.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a dental condition for compensation purposes, and his claims of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disability are denied.