Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings in several areas, including hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, psychiatric disability, hypertension, epicondylitis of the left elbow, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for reopening his previously denied service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The evidence submitted since the last denial was not considered new and material.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or related to his military service, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, despite his service in combat. Therefore, he is denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and readjudicating his entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, obesity, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims will be returned to the Board after any necessary additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a right ankle disability, allergic rhinitis, arthritis of the left leg, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The TDIU claim was also not addressed.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish the Veteran's in-service stressors, which are necessary for service connection. As a result, the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right and left knee replacements and limited range of motion in the left ankle, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His acquired psychiatric disability is also service connected as secondary to his orthopedic conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression, is also granted due to new evidence received since a previous denial.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition in conformance with DSM-IV or V criteria. The Veteran failed to report to the VA examination scheduled and did not provide good cause.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for a VA examination and remanded this claim for service connection of PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder with history of PTSD, results in significant occupational and social impairment warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, lung disorder, and depression as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's heart disease was not related to his near drowning episode in service, but is due to smoking history. His COPD is also due to smoking history. The Board found that the Veteran's depression is secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current residuals of a TBI and adjustment disorder are etiologically related to his active duty service. As such, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The issues include claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, an undiagnosed illness, a psychiatric disorder, and nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. McCreery and seeking an opinion on whether the Veteran had a service-connected psychiatric disorder that contributed to his death.

The Veteran's cystic kidney disease was granted an initial noncompensable rating, but a compensable rating of 30% is assigned. Service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder was also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a current disability as defined by VA regulations.