Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the Board finds that VA's duty to provide a VA examination is not triggered. The Veteran has not provided competent evidence of a current disability or signs and symptoms of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, but the evidence does not suggest a new diagnosis or link to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and fatigue have been reopened, but there is no new evidence suggesting these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder condition, dizziness and balance condition (to include TBI), bilateral plantar fasciitis, restrictive airways disease, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability were denied. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for migraine headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder, and back disorder.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder was found to be incurred as a result of in-service events, leading to the grant of service connection for this condition. The heart and respiratory conditions are pending further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia, is granted. The initial disability rating for COPD prior to September 1, 2006, is granted at 60 percent. Ratings in excess of 40 percent for the left and right foot disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met for his bilateral knee disabilities, but granted an additional 10 percent rating for instability of each knee.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, a headache disability, or a vision disability that manifested in service and is related to his active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include depression, as the Veteran's current condition did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from active duty. The Board also denied service connection for right and left knee disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for type II diabetes mellitus because it first manifested more than a year after separation from service, and there is no evidence that the Veteran had diabetes during service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected left knee disability, as well as the relationships between his various disabilities. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with TDIU and DEA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his service-connected migraines and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for essential thrombocytosis (ET) as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. The acquired psychiatric disability remains under consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for GSW residuals of the left lower extremity, paraplegia of the left lower extremity, radiation poisoning, blood poisoning, and a heart condition. The evidence is insufficient to establish current disabilities or link them to service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD.,The claim to reopen the acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was granted, but service connection remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for gout of the wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet, as well as a skin disorder manifested by fungus of the left hand and fingernails. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also established. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than any presumption or secondary theory.

The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran does not currently meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, tinnitus, and hearing loss have reduced his capacity for working closely with other employees or customers, but are not severe enough to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.