Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at 70 percent since July 13, 2015. Prior to that date, the rating was 50 percent.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU effective July 13, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining missing treatment records and service personnel records. A VA examination is also required if a current psychiatric disorder is diagnosed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for myositis, right lumbar paravertebral muscles and granted it. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to his service-connected back condition.,VA will schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed conditions concerning knee arthralgia and right ankle fracture and tibiotalar fusion are etiologically related to his now service-connected myositis, right lumbar paravertebral muscles.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied because he did not have the required aggregate period of active duty wartime service and because he does not have a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, sinus disorders, lung disorder, and back disorder. The Board found that there was no in-service event or disease related to these conditions, and that presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicides is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and clarification of medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizophrenia.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses involving an acquired psychiatric disorder, a neurological disorder of the right lower extremity, and disorders of the bilateral hip, ankle, or arm. The skin condition affecting both arms was determined to be less likely than not incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to verify specific reported in-service stressors and further develop his claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of fractures and psychiatric disorders are granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination by a neuropsychiatrist to address whether any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder had its onset during service or is otherwise attributable to active service. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all service-connected. The rating for the compression fracture of T12-L1 remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including COPD, hypertension, sickle cell anemia, and a psychiatric disorder. The appeal includes issues related to these conditions.,The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension. She contends that her condition began during active duty due to stress from basic training.,The Veteran claims service connection for sickle cell anemia. She asserts that the condition was present at birth but worsened by military service, particularly smoking and marching with a thumb extended during basic training.,The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, dyslexia (claimed as inaptitude), and schizoid disorder. She contends these conditions are related to her sickle cell trait and stress from active duty.,The Veteran claims service connection for residuals of stroke, which she attributes to her sickle cell trait and hypertension.,She seeks service connection for a left knee disability, alleging injury during basic training while using a floor buffer. She also contends that marching with a thumb extended caused damage to her right thumb.,She requests service connection for a lumbar spine disability, attributing it to injuries sustained in service while using a floor cleaner and marching with a thumb extended.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a right thumb condition, alleging injury during basic training.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine disorder and a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Veteran's right wrist condition is connected to service and the Board finds service connection warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore service connection for PTSD is denied. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is addressed in the Remand portion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 13, 2000 for service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD based on CUE in a September 1997 rating decision. The Veteran argued that there was CUE because evidence available to VA at the time showed in-service treatment for schizophrenia and a clear current diagnosis of that disorder.

The Veteran does not have a low back disability.,The Veteran's current migraine headache disorder is not attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of service.,The Veteran does not have PTSD.,The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) is not attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of service.,The Veteran does not have a disability manifested by loss of smell attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep disorder, hypertension, mild cognitive impairment, a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, back disorder, restless leg syndrome, and erectile dysfunction. The decisions were based on the lack of established clinical diagnoses and the absence of evidence supporting secondary service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not found to be related to service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Onychomycosis, onychocryptosis, and onychodystrophy were determined to be due to the service-connected tinea pedis.