Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's neck condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, headaches (claimed as brain damage), and acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeal on the issues regarding PTSD and any acquired psychiatric condition. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination and ensuring compliance with directives. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after any necessary development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD based on a diagnosed condition, credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, and continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection was not granted for hypertension as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service. The medical evidence does not support a link between current hypertension and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of June 22, 2000 for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder and a TDIU effective February 21, 2001.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability more nearly approximated total social and occupational impairment from June 22, 2000 to February 21, 2001.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including DJD of the cervical spine, papillary squamous cell carcinoma, a thyroid disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and a right ankle disability. The decision found that these conditions were not related to his active service or due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, as new and material evidence has been received. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the May 2017 VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran meets the DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and its relationship to active duty service. The examiner is also asked to determine if any other diagnosed psychiatric disorder (such as anxiety and depression) is related to exposure to contaminated drinking water while stationed at Camp Lejene.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher rating for TBI are remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and are related to a qualifying chronic disability. Other gastrointestinal issues will be addressed in the remand section.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for asthma has been granted with a 30% rating from May 25, 2012 to December 16, 2013 and a 60% rating since July 20, 2015. The issue of an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for asthma has been withdrawn by the Veteran. His claim for TDIU is inextricably intertwined with his psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board denied the reopening of the service connection claim for schizophrenia due to lack of new and material evidence, as the recent medical records are not sufficient to establish a link between the condition and active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a psychiatric and audiological examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5273 for a marked deformity. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder has been diagnosed as various conditions including PTSD and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective November 9, 2012. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted by the Veteran does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right leg disorder has been withdrawn. The Board also finds that the Veteran does not have established service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. For the period prior to April 13, 2016, the Veteran is granted a 10% rating for his left knee degenerative joint disease.