Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence that the condition had its onset in service or within one year of discharge. The Board also found insufficient evidence to link his diagnosed psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, to his military service.

The Veteran's intercostal neuralgia and hypertension are adequately compensated under applicable schedular rating criteria. The acquired psychiatric disorder is not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to address the etiology of the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorders and considering her lay statements regarding symptoms during her first period of ACDUTRA.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, anemia, and schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and/or PTSD. However, it found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for hypertension.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes diagnoses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are at least in equipoise with their onset during or shortly after service, thus warranting service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal of the ratings for bilateral hearing loss and diabetic retinopathy with bilateral cataracts remains pending. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and other acquired mental disorders are not service-connected, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that it was incurred in active service. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and stressor verification.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and his cause of death. The VA psychologist provided an initial opinion but did not consider all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's reports of continuous psychiatric symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and completing a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claims for nonservice-connected pension and service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TBI were denied as the injuries did not occur during a period of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The Board found that the injury to the Veteran occurred after he had left his period of ACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of an in-service sexual assault and court-martial. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but his claims for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to his service-connected DJD of the right foot.,The Veteran's respiratory disorders are related to service exposure to asbestos. His current COPD and asthma are at least as likely as not caused by in-service asbestos exposure.,The Veteran's back disorder is related to a back injury sustained during an incident involving his right foot, which he claims occurred while on active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not service-connected, and thus, there are no acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD to address. The appeal for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further medical examination and development to determine the extent of his service-connected status post uvulopalatoplasty, including whether his current symptoms are related to the procedure.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined claim for TDIU, and the Veteran submitted a VA Form 9 indicating disagreement with the denial of this claim. The case is now returned to the RO for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and service treatment records. The Board will then re-adjudicate the claims.