Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show worse than level II hearing in either ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Fergus Falls State Hospital. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and alcohol dependency are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat and his claimed PTSD was not related to any service stressor, including a personal assault. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, hypertension, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that another VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and is granting it.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied service connection claim for residuals of fracture to the right thigh and granted it. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection purposes due to his bilateral hearing loss, as there is no evidence of a hearing loss disability during service or within one year after separation. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints or findings of hearing loss until 1973, which was well after separation from active duty.,The Board has determined that the Veteran does have a current disability for service connection purposes due to his bladder cancer, as he served in Vietnam and is presumed exposed to Agent Orange. The February 2016 private medical opinion supports this finding.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence fails to demonstrate any current residuals related to the Veteran's right mandibular angle fracture, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and a psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and additional information is needed from various sources. The Veteran's exposure history, including potential Agent Orange exposure, will be investigated further.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran is also awarded initial compensable ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to notify him of his scheduled video hearing. A new hearing will be arranged at a location near his current address.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his prostate cancer, hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, sleep disorder, arthritis, left knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has remanded the case for additional development.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression, was not incurred or aggravated in service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist arthritis, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period or proximate thereto.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection. The cervical spine disability, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder are all found not to be related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar scoliosis with degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder, both found to be related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD, but finds that there is no evidence to support a current diagnosis or causal relationship between any diagnosed psychiatric disability and service. The Veteran's claims are therefore denied.