Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral inguinal herniography residuals did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating prior to March 19, 2009. From March 19, 2009, there is no legal entitlement to a compensable rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral inguinal herniography residuals have not required at least one month of convalescence or resulted in severe postoperative residuals as per VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the obtaining of relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, is at least as likely as not incurred during service. The claim for GERD secondary to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia, based on new and material evidence. However, the decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are not.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were denied. The Board found that there was no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors related to PTSD, and the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or have exposure to herbicides. As a result, service connection could not be established for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and TBI. The claims will be reviewed after this additional development.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling him for examinations to address his psychiatric, cervical spine, and cardiovascular disabilities. The effective dates of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) and femoral nerve are also pending resolution.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his combat experience.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for schizophrenia, paranoid type was received on May 21, 2002. The RO granted this claim effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, related to his service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an additional acquired psychiatric condition other than depression and anxiety, as well as his heart condition, have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and lumbar spine disability are not service connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's current low back condition was less likely caused by or aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records from the Veteran's service and post-service care. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU), are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining pre-service medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The appeal is also remanded to provide an SOC on the issue of nonservice-connected pension.

The Veteran's left hip bursitis is rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board found no evidence to support higher ratings based on limitation of motion or additional functional loss due to pain. Service connection was granted for the left hip lesion, but not for the right ankle disability, headache disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and buttock disability. The low back disability is also service connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and medical opinion to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The appeal is now before the AOJ.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for atrial fibrillation and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected residuals of prostate cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and left ear hearing loss. The claim for right ear hearing loss was reopened based on new evidence, but service connection was not granted.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for schizophrenia, finding no clear and unmistakable error in any prior rating decision.