Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression and PTSD. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for skin rashes and sciatica are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is granted, and the rating for cervical spine disability is increased to 30 percent. The claims for gastrointestinal disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral chronic conjunctivitis and epilepsy have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of sinus disorder, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, left hand arthritis, and bilateral shoulder disability. The evidence did not meet the criteria for establishing service connection.

The Board has determined that further evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's respiratory and psychiatric disabilities are related to his military service. The case will be returned for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right knee disability and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression). The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and a right leg skin condition are all remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increases in the staged ratings of his low back disorder and TDIU prior to June 7, 2016 is denied. The service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) secondary to his low back disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being added to the record since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for hip spurs, spinal bone spurs, and heart condition. The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) was denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a valid diagnosis, as all diagnoses were not made in accordance with DSM-IV.

The Board dismissed the claim for residuals of a left foot fracture due to the appellant's failure to provide requested medical records. The psychiatric disability claim was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service, including ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted as service connected due to in-service traumatic events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for medical treatment due to a mental illness was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various medical conditions, including sleep disorder (including obstructive sleep apnea), hypertension, neurological disorders, and a psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence on their etiology.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for residuals of a cold injury of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, hepatitis, entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, and earlier effective date for the grant of a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and PTSD).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA mental health examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis remains unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and special monthly pension has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle disability and remanded the issues of service connection for psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression) and low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The appeal is dismissed as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease. The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is granted.