Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability related to his military service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, hematuria, fibromyalgia, ulcer, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, nerve damage to the left hand, arms, and feet, and right hand disability have been denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors and no link between current conditions and service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his experiences during service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his period of active military service and therefore denied service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a cardiovascular disorder and hypertension, secondary to hepatitis C, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's service connection claims for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the residuals of a stroke. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence and a need for a supplemental VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the current opinions provided for each issue are inadequate and requires additional medical opinions to determine if service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's lower flank pain, claimed as a left hip strain and residuals of left ovary removal, to include stomach pain, is not related to service.,There is no current diagnosis of unexplained syncope. The right eye disorder treated during service resolved without residual.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and granted it. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have been incurred in service, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is considered a direct result of service. The Veteran's migraine headaches are also granted with an increased evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim but not sufficient to establish service connection. The Board also found no causal link between the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and his current psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

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

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be etiologically related to active duty service, and the Veteran is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of headaches remains pending as an addendum opinion is needed. The rating for bilateral shin splints is also pending due to a need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbosacral spine disability and determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder.