Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board denied reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and a left knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The heart disability claim was not reopened as there was no new and material evidence received. The anemia claim was also not reopened.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury or an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is not attributable to or related to service.,The Veteran's hernia condition, diagnosed as a hiatal hernia, is not attributable to or related to service.,The Veteran's kidney stones are not attributable to or related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, left shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not proximately caused by or aggravated by any service-connected disorder, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The appeal will be remanded to allow for this development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but does not result in total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and head trauma are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and ensure that all relevant personnel records are associated with his claims file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a depressive disorder claimed as secondary to service-connected disorders (and disorders for which service connection is claimed), was reopened. Service connection for sleep disturbance and residuals of a torn meniscus of the right knee were also granted with effective dates prior to February 11, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after all necessary actions are completed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar II disorder, depression) and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder and lumbar degenerative disc disease are both found to be related to his service-connected disabilities, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 4, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's presence in Vietnam and examination to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of VA examination and updated medical records, as well as potential issues with notification of the May 2016 VA examination.

The Board found that a chronic acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) was not manifested in service and any such current disability is not shown to be related to the Veteran's service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), ADD, and adjustment and mood disorders is denied.