Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between his in-service stressors and current psychiatric disability, nor could it be presumed due to exposure to herbicides. For skin disorders, the issue remains pending as additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, are not service-connected. The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service, but there is no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment for hypertension in service. His acquired psychiatric disorder does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to military service. Service connection was denied on both direct and secondary bases.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and bilateral foot bunions were denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 1, 2016 was also denied, while the claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss since April 1, 2016 was not adjudicated as it has been granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a service-connected PTSD, an acquired non-psychotic mental disorder other than PTSD (GAD), or a psychosis NOS. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service stressors for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining records from Eglin Air Force Base and VA medical records. The claims for PTSD, depression, and heart condition are intertwined with the claim for service connection of a scar from heart surgery.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to establish the Veteran's entitlement to service connection for a left hip disability with associated surgical scar and nerve damage. Therefore, no further development is required.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of a decision based on CUE due to insufficient allegations and failure to comply with requirements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings were denied. The Veteran was not granted higher ratings for sleep apnea or TBI, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The claims for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease have been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a bilateral foot disability or an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression. The evidence does not demonstrate that his current conditions had their onset during service, were related to service, or are otherwise etiologically linked.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD, are related to his active duty service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and found that residuals of venereal disease are not related to service. The Board also denied service connection for the residuals of a venereal disease.

The Board has remanded the case to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA back examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee degenerative arthritis is before the Board.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is before the Board. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his time in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks an increased rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is before the Board. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his time in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks an increased rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to June 11, 2012, as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% or be permanently housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TBI and chronic headaches due to head trauma have been granted service connection. The remaining issues are pending.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, arthritis of the left knee, and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. The current diagnoses are not shown to be related to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteochondroma of the right knee and back disorder, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The claims are granted as both conditions are found to be related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder were not caused or aggravated by military service or his service-connected right ankle disability.