Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric and orthopedic disabilities. The Veteran's claims will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for a back strain, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also denied as there is no competent evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking it to his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's neck and respiratory conditions are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion from a rheumatologist and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes was not incurred in or is otherwise related to his period of active service.,Cold weather injury residuals, arthritis, gout, hypertension, an eye disorder (ultraviolet keratitis), a gastrointestinal disorder (colitis), an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), vertigo, and a kidney disorder are not shown to be related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine the current severity of his acquired psychiatric disorder and whether additional testing or evidence is necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and for additional examinations. The issues of service connection for a headache disorder, psychiatric disorder (PTSD), heart disorder, skin disorder, and right knee disorder are still under consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to non-compliance with previous directives and lack of medical information necessary to proceed.

The Veteran's ischemic cardiomyopathy is found to be related to his service-connected dental trauma, and the acquired psychiatric disability and memory loss are considered secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was caused by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his left hip condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and heart condition as secondary to his service-connected parathyroidectomy with a history of hyperthyroidism.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to outstanding questions regarding current diagnosis and etiology in connection with the claim. Additional attempts are needed to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor event and obtain VA treatment records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, head injury, gall bladder condition, intestinal condition/Crohn's disease, and appendix condition. The appeal seeking an increased rating for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right hip is also dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of a stressor and thus no diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran has been diagnosed with other conditions such as major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, alcohol dependence, malingering, and schizophrenia, none of which are linked to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted with an initial disability rating of 10 percent. Service connection for lymphoma due to ionizing radiation exposure is granted. Bilateral hearing loss is service connected and rated at 0 percent. COPD is not service connected. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is not service connected.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have originated during his military service and granted service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood) is also found to be related to service, but the exact nature of the relationship needs further clarification. Service connection for a bilateral knee condition is denied due to lack of evidence showing aggravation or onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for COPD prior to December 20, 2004 was denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and loss of taste were both denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not establish a nexus between any current psychiatric condition and service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding an in-service personal assault and requests for private mental health treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.