Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional records and further development of his case.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder with memory loss. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disability was denied.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss were both denied. The Veteran did not have a preexisting tinnitus, but the Board found that service connection could be established based on continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, PAD, and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The effective date is not specified as the claim was reopened.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is found to be related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD based on a claimed in-service stressor. The Board finds that his acquired psychiatric disorder (including mood disorder with depression) is secondary to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's asthma was not found to be related to service or environmental exposures. Service connection for OSA and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being addressed.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted a higher initial rating for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is presumed to have pre-existed service and may be aggravated by service. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current nature of his psychiatric disabilities, their likely etiology, and whether they were aggravated during service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including TBI and its related disabilities. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as workman's compensation records. The Veteran is asked to provide information about her psychiatric history and any related claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling examinations, and providing medical opinions. The issues include service connection for respiratory disability, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and rating of ischemic heart disease.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia, but denied service connection for COPD and PTSD. The decision on COPD is based on direct evidence of a current disability without a link to service or herbicide exposure. For PTSD, the claim was reopened due to new evidence received after the initial denial, and service connection was established.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and sciatica of the right lower extremity are all found to be related to his service. The Veteran's current conditions were not caused by or aggravated by any in-service event.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is etiologically related to the Veteran's in-service personal assault. The claim will be reconsidered after this examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are being remanded to allow for a new examination and opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination and updated medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and Barrett's esophagus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling examinations.