Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder). The initial compensable rating for bilateral pterygium was also denied. Effective dates were not granted for the awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be causally related to an event, injury, or disease in service.,There is no evidence of diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure that is causally related to, or aggravated by, an event, injury, or disease in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The reopened claim is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to active service, specifically an in-service traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been reopened. However, his bilateral hearing loss disability is not considered a VA compensation disability due to normal hearing in both ears. The claims of service connection for heart disorder, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, and prostate disorder are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, and that hypertension (claimed as high cholesterol and high triglycerides) is not shown by the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is also granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus, headaches, lower back disability, and depression are all service-connected.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 50 percent, while hypothyroidism remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors, including a shooting incident at the Madrid airport in 1976. The service connection will be decided based on the merits of the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for residual scars, first degree burns of the face. The Veteran's other claims have also been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD or a low back disability, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,The Veteran has no service-connected disabilities, which precludes entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and their etiology, including considering his in-service symptoms and any potential triggers of his present disorder(s).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and depression, as well as sleep apnea. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.,Service treatment records did not indicate any signs or symptoms of mental health issues during service. The earliest diagnosis was in 2010, which is more than a decade after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hearing loss, PTSD, or a pulmonary disorder. The evidence is insufficient to establish these conditions as being related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is found to be related to his military service.,His peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is determined to be caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,His erectile dysfunction is also found to be caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorder.,The Board also denied service connection for organic brain disability (previously claimed as Alzheimer's dementia), to include as secondary to service-connected sebaceous cyst.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and Parkinson's disease cannot be granted as there is no evidence of record supporting these claims. The Veteran served in Korea during the Korean War, not Vietnam, and thus does not meet the criteria for presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his psychiatric disability, preclude him from substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified bipolar disorder, is found to be at least as likely as not incurred during service. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, malaria, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), bilateral tinnitus, initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU based on service-connected disabilities. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen a claim of service connection for asthma.