Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are not related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The examiner opined that there is no link between his current headaches and any in-service headache complaints.,The Board found insufficient evidence to establish a diagnosis of PTSD or other psychiatric disorders due to an in-service stressor. The VA examiners did not find sufficient evidence linking the Veteran's diagnosed alcohol use disorder with service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but both issues are REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and provide further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder; an eye disorder (including as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317); arthritis; a neck disorder other than arthritis; headaches; and a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for further development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and determining the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee and shoulder disabilities, and right hand neuropathy.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder present during service and concluded that any current psychiatric disability is not related to service. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to post-service factors, including alcohol use.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether his current PTSD is related to his military service and he was exposed to a traumatic event during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and headache disorder. The issues on appeal are for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected skin disabilities. The Veteran also received initial compensable ratings for his tinea cruris and lichen simplex chronicus, lumbar back and medial buttocks, with scarring, and dyshidrotic eczema of the feet.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder will be evaluated by a VA examiner to determine its onset during service and whether it is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's right hip disability and acquired psychiatric disability are related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his depression is at least as likely as not due to his service-connected cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities, and tinnitus. The issue of a separate compensable rating for scar residuals of the cervical spine disability and initial compensable rating for chronic headaches associated with cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have PTSD and there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The claim for service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing proper notice regarding personal assault claims.

The Veteran is granted restoration of service connection and a 10 percent disability rating for his anxiety disorder, as well as an earlier effective date for TDIU. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on his employability. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issues of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral wrist disability, sleep apnea, and residuals of meningitis has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus clearly and unmistakably pre-existed active duty service and was not incurred or aggravated by such service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her service connection claims for foot disability, rheumatoid arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and VA/VA-privately obtained medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disability is also being reconsidered as part of this process.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal of service connection for a nasal disorder and granted an effective date of October 29, 2007, for the grant of service connection for a psychiatric disorder.