Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and depressive disorder, had its clinical onset during active service or is related to any service-connected disease, event, or injury. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service symptomology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, or ischemic heart disease due to service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or causal link to his military service.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's urinary frequency did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD and asthma, is found to be related to his active duty service. The acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, is also found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset during active service and the evidence shows that his condition worsened while in-service. The Board finds that the Veteran must be presumed to have been sound upon entry, and thus entitlement to service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to address the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders, as well as the severity of his cervical strain.

The Veteran's right knee disability, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, bronchial asthma, bilateral hip disability, left knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, back disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service connected.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, claimed as painful and swelling joints, has been granted service connection due to its presumed relation to Gulf War service. The Board also found that the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of PTSD and major depressive disorder, which are related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and readjudication due to pending VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's low back disability is service connected as it is proximately caused by his service-connected knee problems. The acquired psychiatric disability is also service connected as secondary to the service-connected physical disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the appellant's claims for service connection and TDIU, including obtaining verification of her periods of active duty training (ADT) after 1980, obtaining all relevant VA and non-VA treatment records, scheduling a VA audiology examination, and verifying SSA disability benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as new evidence was submitted to reopen this claim.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as chronic depression, and his active service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear opinions in a previous VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his accidental overdose and subsequent death, as evidenced by the lack of evidence showing a direct link between his medications and the overdose. The appellant's claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had PTSD related to his combat experiences in service and granted service connection for this condition. The low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, particularly regarding her claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The effective date issue remains on hold until further notice.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate development, including scheduling a VA examination for mental health disorders. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered after further development.