Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a right ankle disability, tinnitus, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), with reasonable doubt resolving in favor of the Veteran.

The Board determined that the Veteran's character of discharge from November 8, 1989 to July 20, 2001 was dishonorable and thus barred VA benefits for this period. The claim for service connection for depression is reopened based on new evidence. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case will be returned to the AOJ after completion of this development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including his depression and alcohol use disorder, is found to have its onset in service. His neurocardiogenic syncope has also been granted a rating.

The Veteran's tension headaches, left knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are found to be related to service. The ankle disorder is not currently diagnosed.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the appellant's discharge from service and his testimony regarding mental health during service. Further development is needed, including obtaining service personnel records and a psychiatric opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia first occurred during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in June 1973, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a mood disorder, is related to his service-connected right ankle disability and other service-connected degenerative arthritis disabilities. The Board has granted the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to the Veteran's service connected right ankle disability.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including contusion of the right hand, hypertension, headaches, bilateral foot disorder, left hand disorder, sleep apnea, herpes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), and bilateral eye disability (photophobia) are all related to her service-connected migraines.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, and Depressive Disorder, is related to his service. The claim for insomnia was not granted as secondary to a service-connected disability. Hypertension was not granted as incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, thus denying the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for orthopedic residuals of a right forearm crush injury with tendinitis was denied. The current rating is 10 percent, and no effective date is provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations, lack of new evidence, and inextricably linked secondary service connection claim.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, depression (secondary to service-connected multiple sclerosis), and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to her active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for dental trauma, a psychiatric disability, and an increased rating for herpes simplex. The evidence does not support reopening of the claim for dental trauma due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for a psychiatric disability is also denied as there was no in-service injury or disease that caused current symptoms. Finally, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for herpes simplex is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his COPD, OSA, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA will provide a new examination for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence received since the final denial indicates that the Veteran may meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and this condition is related to his military service.