Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Veteran is seeking service connection for schizophrenia, which he claims was triggered during his National Guard service. The appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to Agent Orange or other environmental factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his service, and there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of an in-service stressor. The right knee disorder was also found not to be related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. However, the Veteran's current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus does not meet the criteria for service connection as it is not shown to have had its onset during active duty or be related to any in-service disease or injury, including exposure to herbicides. The acquired psychiatric disorder has also been found not to have met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is now granted. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease are also found to be related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether he had tinnitus, and granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection for PTSD was granted effective August 13, 2012, which is also the earliest available effective date for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is service-connected as it is linked to in-service personal assault and military sexual trauma.,The Veteran's residuals of a stress fracture of the right heel are currently evaluated at 10 percent. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder claimed as a Tarlov cyst is being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Veteran has not yet been evaluated for her left ankle disorder. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine if she has a current diagnosis and whether it is related to service.,A VA psychiatric examination will be conducted to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), depression, and anxiety.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for her seizure disorder will be evaluated with consideration given to whether it was aggravated by service. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine if this is the case.,A VA examination will be conducted to determine the nature of the Veteran's insomnia and its relationship to any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for CTS, a skin disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and clarifying all periods of service. The appellant's schizophrenia is being evaluated to determine if it worsened during his ACDUTRA period.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred in or caused by active service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and has not had such a disability at any point since filing his claim for service connection.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's left calf wound disability has manifested as a moderate muscle disability due to pain, stiffness, leg cramps, a residual shrapnel fragment, inability to sit on hard surfaces for long periods of time, and tenderness, but a moderately severe or severe muscle disability has not been shown during the appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of acinic cell carcinoma of the right parotid gland and granted it. The remaining claims for neck disability, right ear hearing loss, right ear disability (tinnitus), and an acquired psychiatric condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of an atrial septal defect, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as the Board finds that his enlarged heart and its complications are a superimposed injury on his congenital atrial septal defect.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability (including cervical and lumbar spine), obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and psychiatric disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The AOJ will schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric conditions, which she claims are due to military sexual trauma. The case has been remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, adjustment disorder, and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's current right knee strain is related to his in-service right knee injury.

The Veteran's claims for mood disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia were granted effective from February 25, 2005. The Board found that the evidence supported service connection for these conditions based on their onset during military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VA examination opinions and need for additional medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM, PTSD, and a back condition. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for DM.