Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, heart disorder, GERD, hypertension, and urinary frequency. The decision also addressed other issues such as non-service connected pension, increased rating for left shoulder tendonitis, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including schizophrenia and PTSD. The decision is in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and determine the appropriate disposition of his claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, but finds that he has an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether his current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including arthritis, is not related to his military service. The VA examiner found no evidence of a chronic condition in service and concluded that any current low back disorder was less likely than not incurred or caused by events during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran's congenital spinal stenosis was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for his service-connected psychiatric disorder effective from September 1, 2016. The headaches are rated at 10 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's ED is found to be secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder was granted effective September 23, 2008. However, an earlier effective date of September 23, 2008 is denied as the Veteran's TDIU claim was not yet established at that time.

The Board has reopened the psychiatric claim and is remanding both claims to the AOJ for further development. The heart claim remains pending.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, are denied as there is no credible evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorder pre-existed his active duty service and was not permanently worsened beyond its natural progress during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, as well as other issues, are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Regional Office in Atlanta, Georgia. The main issue on appeal is his claim for a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective date and service connection, finding that he did not have a current hearing loss disability of either ear. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by his active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, diabetic neuropathy, urinary incontinence, spinal stenosis, stomach hernia, ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction (ED).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an enlarged prostate with increased PSA and for a psychiatric disorder were denied as the evidence did not support direct service connection, without any presumption or secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of hemorrhoids, lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knee disabilities, or an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) related to service. The right hip disability is also not supported by evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.