Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's breathing disorder and sleep apnea are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active service or due to a service-connected disability. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the San Antonio VAMC. The Veteran's appeal of a TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including OCD and depression, is found to be related to service. The Veteran also has a lumbar spine disability rated at 20 percent as of June 1, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or a result of or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records from the Wilkes-Barre facility. The claims of service connection for a right eye disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder remain inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD or a peripheral nerve disorder of the upper and lower extremities. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted. His diabetes mellitus, type II, currently rated at 20 percent, remains unchanged as the evidence does not support a higher rating. The issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for his cataracts and ischemic optic neuropathy prior to October 14, 2014, and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter is addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the highest schedular ratings available have been assigned for his hemorrhoids and thigh disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back pain and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of February 27, 2012.

The Veteran's schizophrenia and substance abuse disorder are service-connected, with the PTSD being considered secondary to these conditions. The Veteran is granted a 70% disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of his current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's right elbow disability, psychiatric disability, and IBS were all granted initial ratings prior to April 28, 2017.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not shown to have been caused by VA care or treatment, and the acquired psychiatric disorder is not etiologically related to his active duty service.,The Veteran has not established entitlement to compensation for a disease or injury under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, so entitlement to compensation on a secondary basis for an acquired psychiatric disorder cannot be established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disability are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for compensable evaluation for dyshidrotic eczema is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder during service or at any time thereafter. Service connection was also denied for peripheral nerve conditions of the upper extremities and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including psychosis, non-psychotic depression, and anxiety, was not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors could not be verified, and thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and bipolar disorder) was denied. Service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left shoulder disorder, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The claim for a left knee disorder was not addressed as it did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of service connection for fatigue has been dismissed.,Service connection is granted for autoimmune hepatitis.