Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for a right arm/shoulder disability, back disability, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and PTSD) due to potential new evidence or clarification of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD (including depression and anxiety disorder), and denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental health condition during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability, residuals of a head injury, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the Veteran's reported assault at Fort Dix in 1972. The VA is instructed to obtain Social Security Administration records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination regarding his cervical spine condition, another for his head injuries, and a third for his psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in previous decisions, and an additional VA examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, umbilical hernia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression) as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10% from April 2, 2009 to May 6, 2011 and at 40% from October 25, 2011 to June 26, 2014. Since then, a higher rating for his back disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disability, a psychiatric disorder including PTSD and an adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, and alcohol dependence due to new evidence added to the record after the May 2016 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shin splints, coronary artery disease, moyamoya disease, and residuals of a stroke. The Board found that the Veteran did not have these conditions incurred during her active military service or related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded four issues: service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased rating for right knee disability, and increased rating for hypertension. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, due to new evidence received since the last decision. The claims will be adjudicated on a de novo basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disorder, shaving bumps, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and depression as secondary to a personality disorder, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for cold weather injuries to his hands, feet, and an acquired psychiatric condition are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for residuals of left eye injury, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches was denied. The claims for service connection for low back disability, heart disability, diabetes mellitus type 2, traumatic brain injury, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression), and TDIU prior to October 11, 2011 were remanded.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded the claim for service connection for cancer of the supraglottis. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as these issues are related to the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the evidence supports a link between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim will be further evaluated with a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and has also granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The issues of service connection for these conditions are now resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of chronicity in service or within one year after separation. The claim for hypertension was not granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure as the Veteran served in Vietnam. The Veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in conjunction with his claims.