Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions such as plantar fasciitis, wrist pain, bilateral hearing loss, paresthesias of the left fingers, a psychiatric disorder (to include depression), hand pain, and knee pain. The Veteran is not eligible for compensation benefits for any disabilities that began in or are etiologically related to his second period of active service from December 2001 through August 2007.

The Board has denied service connection for a lung condition including asthma and an acquired psychiatric disorder claimed as PTSD due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied as there is no probative medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active duty.,Service connection for a lung disorder was also denied due to the lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are not adequate for adjudication of the service connection claims, particularly regarding the etiology of the diagnosed conditions. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's brain cancer (low-grade glioma) is not service connected as it was not caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found that the Veteran's current neurological and psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors were inherently incredible and insufficient to support a valid diagnosis of PTSD. The Board also found no current evidence of any acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD related to active service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death and no longer has jurisdiction over the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of stressor evidence, and the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal of these issues at a hearing.,A claim of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability has been reopened due to new evidence. The Veteran's neck disability is found to be related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to new evidence being added to his file, including VA treatment records. The claims include service connection for various conditions related to scleroderma and other disabilities.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for hepatitis C and PTSD, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is denied for shin splints.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and various service connection claims were granted, with the exception of those related to head size increase, left nerve pressure lower extremity, left nerve pressure upper extremity, right nerve pressure lower extremity, right nerve pressure upper extremity, and sleep apnea syndromes. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU and DEA benefits was denied as there is no evidence of a prior unadjudicated formal or informal claim. The earliest possible effective date, November 10, 2009, when service connection for schizophrenia was granted, is assigned.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD), and a cervical spine disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection remains denied as there is no clear evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection has not been established for left ear infection, colon cancer, stroke, or low back disability.

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence of current TBI, chloracne, an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, or peripheral neuropathy of the right upper or lower extremity. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD related to his in-service airplane crash landing and that it is at least as likely as not that he also has an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, vision problems, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) are not service-connected.,Service connection for these conditions is denied as they are not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging a medical opinion to differentiate PTSD symptoms from other diagnosed conditions, and addressing the Veteran's request for payment as a Veteran with two dependents.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression. Service connection was denied for shin splints.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, major depressive disorder, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, and hepatitis C with chronic fatigue are remanded due to the need for additional development.