Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for head injury, bilateral leg sciatica, disability manifested by motion sickness and dizziness, tinnitus, bilateral glaucoma, bilateral cataracts, left eye detached retina (secondary to left eye cataracts), left hand disability (secondary to neck disability), right hand disability (secondary to neck disability), bilateral shoulder disability (secondary to neck disability), joint disability, neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) (secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability), and sleep apnea have been denied. The Veteran withdrew these claims during his Board hearing.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to ensure a complete record prior to adjudicating the Veteran's claims. This includes obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records, scheduling an appropriate VA examination for each issue on appeal, and considering whether service connection can be granted based on direct evidence of a link between current disabilities and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current herpes genitalis and acquired psychiatric disorder did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and right ankle disorder.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) as it is at least as likely as not related to active duty service. The bilateral knee disorder is also found to be related to active duty service. However, the right ankle disorder is not shown to be related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 3, 1989 for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia is dismissed as a freestanding claim after a final Board decision.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied psychiatric disorder service connection claim.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses of tinnitus and PTSD are supported by credible evidence, including his own statements and medical opinions from VA clinicians.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, and whether these are related to his military service. The AOJ will then review the claims file and readjudicate the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety. The new evidence received since the final February 2012 denial indicates that the Veteran currently suffers from such a condition related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to April 13, 2011 is denied. The Board grants a TDIU from April 13, 2011 and finds that his service-connected disabilities preclude substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for new VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of her migraines, acquired psychiatric disorder, and right hip chronic strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD or depression, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of bilateral knee disability and psychiatric disability. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim is denied as it did not result from VA care or treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by tingling and numbness of both legs and feet, cervical spine disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, bilateral knee disorder, or depression or other acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are denied as secondary to service-connected mechanical low back pain.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and a mood disorder on the bipolar spectrum, finding that both conditions are attributable to service.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of an injury to the right foot. The Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disabilities are pending, as is his claim for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headaches are unrelated to his military service and denied service connection for cephalgia.

The Veteran's claim for a gastrointestinal disorder and depression have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection is not granted as there is no current diagnosis or link between these conditions and active service.,Service connection has not been established for either a gastrointestinal disorder or an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression).