Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disability, right elbow disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (including a phase of life problem, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression), sleep apnea, chronic fatigue, rhinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The rating for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions and their secondary effects, as well as the need for additional medical records and examinations. The case is being remanded to obtain these records and conduct further evaluations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as mood disorder with anxious, depressive and hypomaniac or maniac symptoms, is found to be at least as likely as not related to his high-pressure military occupation as an air traffic controller. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left index finger fracture resulted in a 10 percent rating, effective January 24, 2017. The Board found that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal of right hip strain/hamstring insertion was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The remaining issues regarding respiratory disability, psychiatric disorder, and neurological disorder are addressed in this remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of a few issues. The Board found that the Veteran had current diagnoses and credible evidence supporting his reported stressors related to combat experience in Vietnam. Service connection was established for PTSD based on exposure to hostile military activity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and concerns about VA's duty to assist in obtaining federal records.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and is now remanding the case for additional development to obtain relevant medical records, unit histories, and other information related to the Veteran's service and death.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and denied service connection. The cervical spine disorder is related to post-service injuries, and thus service connection was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate reasons or bases in its decision and failure to ensure substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct. The Board also determined that he did not exhibit symptoms of insanity during his military service, thus denying his claim for benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, as well as his claim for service connection for PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are attributable to alcohol use and not related to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and PTSD has been reopened.,VA is granting a 30 percent rating for ischemic heart disease from November 1, 1993 to March 25, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 5, 2001 for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. The effective date is set at May 13, 1996.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, left hemiparesis due to stroke, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The Board found no current disability for these conditions and insufficient evidence of a link between any diagnosed condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus type II, CAD, and soft tissue sarcomas of the lung and right upper extremity/right shoulder are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran also has chronic kidney disease and diabetic neuropathy that are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's GERD, headaches, psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, brittle nails, and syphilis are not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but his claim to reopen the right arm burn residuals was granted. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use lower extremities without assistive devices.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of evidence showing current disability. The acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service.