Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, neck disorder, and back disorder. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service, thus resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted for cervical spine degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, and headaches. However, there is no evidence linking a bilateral leg disorder to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA medical records and incomplete research of German Army hospital records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has instructed the RO to schedule a videoconference hearing for the Veteran, but this request has not been fulfilled. The case is therefore being remanded again.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and verify any exposure to herbicides or other chemicals during service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not suffer any new or additional disability associated with her cerebrovascular accident as a result of VA treatment due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or some other instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and verifying in-service stressors. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, related to his fear of hostile military activity during service in Beirut, Lebanon, was granted. The issue of increased rating for sciatica and PFS of the knees is pending. Service connection for hearing loss of the right ear is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a temporomandibular articulation joint disorder and a psychiatric disorder, to include major depression. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran's disability picture does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is found to have its onset during service and the Veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressors. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to service-connected hemorrhoids and herpes labialis, had its onset in service. The claim for a compensable rating for service-connected herpes labialis is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for a VA medical examination regarding whether his service-connected disabilities caused wear and tear on his clothing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability, asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disability are addressed in a separate decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and alcoholism as secondary to a service-connected condition. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type) and substance abuse as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded for further development regarding residuals of a head injury.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's left knee disability is related to service and has been granted. The psychiatric and asthma claims are remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his other psychiatric conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing. His claims for service connection are still pending.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, loss of smell, diabetes mellitus type II, respiratory disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a dog bite, left ankle condition, head injury, PTSD, and schizophrenia, paranoid type.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board hearing. The issues include service connection claims for various disabilities.