Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically major depressive disorder, is due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current left leg or left ankle disabilities, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.,Regarding the back disorder, a VA examination was conducted but did not provide an opinion on whether it is caused by the in-service motorcycle accident or secondary to the service-connected right leg fracture residuals.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, undifferentiated type, with depressive disorder has been rated at the maximum (100%) disability rating since September 16, 2015. The Veteran is also entitled to specially adapted housing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a video-conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The claim of sleep apnea was withdrawn by the Veteran during his October 2016 hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled Board hearing and potential issues with the Veteran's competency. New evidence may be needed to reopen the claim.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to the misfiled documents and outstanding service treatment records. The Veteran's incarceration status must also be confirmed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection based on direct service connection. The hearing loss claim was also remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is not related to his active duty service, and denied his claim for service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder issue remains pending as it was not addressed in detail during the remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the requested VA examinations were inadequate and not in compliance with the June 2014 Remand directives. The case is therefore REMANDED for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, schizophrenia, psychosis, or personality disorder. The Veteran's conditions are found not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of meningococcal meningitis, including psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's in-service meningococcal meningitis is found to have caused his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability did not have its onset in active service or within one year thereafter and is not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease or any other chronic heart disability. The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for findings of a heart condition, and the VA examinations have consistently ruled out a heart disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, varicose veins, venous insufficiency, and leg ulcers. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before the claims can be decided, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's migraine headaches, her acquired psychiatric disorder, and her hypertension.