Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizophrenia, left knee injuries, and back strain, did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to October 1, 1999.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection of heart disorder, back disorder, brain disorder (head injury residual), and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, a major depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder, is found to be incurred in service. Service connection for hypertension due to service-connected organic heart disease with mitral regurgitation is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and increased ratings for his right knee disability and distal index finger disability. The Veteran's current disabilities were not found to be related to service or due to any other compensable basis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is related to his active service. The claim for PTSD has been remanded due to the lack of verified stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depressive disorder, is service-connected. However, there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's sinusitis/rhinitis, bilateral hip osteopenia with secondary arthralgias, and fibromyalgia/rheumatoid arthritis are not service-connected. However, the Veteran's bilateral hip osteopenia is found to be related to her service-connected residuals of total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oophorectomy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia is related to his service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated as 40 percent, the bilateral pes planus as 30 percent prior to March 16, 2012, and PTSD as 70 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and examinations related to her psychiatric disability, left shoulder and right knee disabilities, left ear hearing loss, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia was granted effective August 23, 2010. The appeal is granted to this extent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and finds that his depressive disorder is less likely than not related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and determine if he is entitled to service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizophrenia.

The Veteran's lumbar myalgia is rated at 20 percent since January 27, 2014. Service connection for rhinitis and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder) are granted. The muscle ache disability claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically panic disorder, was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and further development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service connected, as there is no competent and probative evidence linking any of these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims to the AOJ for further development due to his request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and the need for a new examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed.