Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including claims for service connection and evaluations for various conditions. The Board has determined that a videoconference hearing is required due to the Veteran's request.

The Board finds that the evidence of record fails to establish a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for PTSD under DSM-IV or DSM-5.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, and difficulty in understanding complex commands, has been rated at 70 percent since February 1, 2011. The effective date for the increased rating is set to February 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including comprehensive VA examinations and opinions regarding his prostate cancer and psychiatric disability.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current psychiatric disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and remanded the issues of service connection for cervical muscle strain (also claimed neck injury), tinnitus, and headaches and dizziness.

The Veteran's psychiatric impairment between April 11, 2010 and April 11, 2011 was total, warranting a 100% rating for acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or an in-service injury that could be linked to the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and acquired psychiatric disability are not etiologically related to service, specifically an in-service stressor involving a helicopter crash during the hostage crisis. The weight of evidence supports finding that his current mental health conditions are more likely due to civilian traumas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and personnel information, as well as for a new VA audiological examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are on appeal.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder or back disability related to service. The claim for peripheral vascular disease is also denied as there was insufficient medical opinion regarding aggravation by seizure medications.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for hepatitis C prior to the Board's decision. The case is being remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia had its onset during his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including claimed PTSD, is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or due to service and there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability. The initial rating for the service-connected acquired psychiatric disability has been denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and elbow disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) have been denied. The claim of service connection for a prostate condition has not been reopened.

The Veteran's bowel disorder, which included a resection of the sigmoid volvulus with acquired megacolon and internal hernia, resulted in severe symptoms warranting a 50 percent rating since October 21, 2008. The schizophrenia was not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Sleep Apnea, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for Hypertension. The earlier effective date claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, cervical spine disorder, and diverticulitis have been withdrawn. The remaining claims of entitlement to increased rating for PUD, service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, and service connection for psychiatric disorders are remanded for additional development.