Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received for bilateral hearing loss, and additional development is needed for other issues.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD/depression), coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as it is found to be directly related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, Type II, a lumbar spine disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression), sleep apnea, and gastrointestinal reflux disorder (GERD).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of his back, leg/knee disabilities, as well as any acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting medical records and the need for clarification from the April 2015 VA examiner.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depressive disorder, as these conditions are linked to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied her claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent rating, effective September 20, 2010. The Veteran's current symptomatology is attributed to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a copy of the Fort Dix Basic Training yearbook from July to October 1974. The Veteran's claim is currently pending and will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the tinnitus being presumed due to in-service noise exposure. The psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also granted as it has been linked to a verified stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current eye disabilities are not related to his active service and therefore denied service connection for bilateral eye disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing as requested by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II and denied the remaining claims. Diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to in-service herbicide exposure, while the other conditions are not supported by evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, increased rating for left wrist and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, increased rating for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, TDIU, earlier effective dates for ratings and SMC. The decision also found that the reduction in the rating for the thoracolumbar spine was improper.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a nexus to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not considered service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psychosis and schizoaffective disorder.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for hearing loss, hepatitis C, liver disease, residuals of a head injury, and psychiatric disability. The decision also reopened the claim for service connection for hearing loss but found no new and material evidence to support reopening the other claims.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other disorders such as depressive disorder and adjustment disorder. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again after this additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection is denied.