Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, finding that these conditions are as likely as not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically any relationship to his service-connected disabilities. The claim must be returned for an addendum opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for right ear hearing loss, a psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), or any neck disability. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for MALT lymphoma/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, TMJ dysfunction, bilateral knee disorders, HTN, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, has been denied. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if any of his diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting conditions aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of diagnosed PTSD. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) is pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board is remanding the case for further development regarding three remaining stressors and to obtain VA mental health treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric condition, including PTSD, that is related to his military service. The evidence of record does not support a finding of in-service stressors or a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability due to service and no verifiable in-service stressors. The diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder was not established based on credible supporting evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of his psychiatric disorder, spine, right foot, and right hip disabilities, as well as the severity of his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia with chronic symptoms of depression and anxiety. The evidence now supports a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's current right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disorders are causally related to in-service occurrences as a parachute jumper. The Board finds service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and service personnel file.

The Veteran's right hip disability is related to service and granted. Other claims for service connection, TDIU, and increased ratings are addressed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder and is now addressing its merits.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor event. The preponderance of the evidence fails to establish that a chronic psychiatric disorder other than personality disorder was present in service or for several years thereafter and is not etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's skin condition and hearing loss have been reopened. The Board has granted a 10% rating for his right ankle scar, but the remaining claims are still pending due to additional development needed.