Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, to his service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is not related to his complaints of depression during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service, and his acquired psychiatric disorders are not shown to be causally or etiologically linked to service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation of any pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, is related to his military service. The examiner must also provide an opinion on whether PTSD should be diagnosed and its relationship to in-service stressors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychosis, are being remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of these conditions. The examiner will consider whether it is at least as likely as not that any psychiatric disorder was caused or aggravated by his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression and anxiety, finding that the Veteran experienced instances of in-service personal assault. The right ankle disability claim is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and bilateral sacroiliitis have been denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury, to include frostbite, has been denied as there is no current disability. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, while his lower back disorder, left knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders are not.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type is found to be as likely as not related to service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's schizophrenia resulted in deficiencies in most areas of occupational and social functioning prior to June 19, 2015. However, total occupational and social impairment was not shown.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder on the grounds that it was not incurred in or aggravated by peacetime service and that schizophrenia could not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The decision considered evidence including a diagnosis of schizophrenia during active duty, but concluded that there was no clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be incurred in service, and the claim for this condition is granted. The remaining claims of service connection for a right arm disorder, groin pain, and chest pain are remanded for additional development.

The Board found no evidence of a direct connection between the Veteran's service and his current psychiatric disability, nor did it find that any compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was warranted.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 50% since January 5, 2009. The left shoulder disorder has not been rated.

The Veteran's right leg weakness is not service connected, as the current evidence does not support a causal relationship between his in-service fall and his current condition. His personality disorder was misdiagnosed in service, but there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that his anxiety preexisted service or was aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms did not manifest during or within one year after his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS, is granted service connection. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than anxiety disorder (to include PTSD) remains pending and the previously denied low back disorder claim has been reopened.