Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD, and thus denied both claims. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to depression and substance use issues rather than service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, and she has been granted a compensable rating for external otitis. However, her claim for left ear hearing loss was denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, respiratory disorders, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for establishing service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and schizophrenia. The VA will gather more recent treatment records and schedule a new examination for an opinion on the onset of these conditions during service or their connection to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and an acquired psychiatric disability, as well as his claim for increased rating for unfavorable ankylosis of the fourth and fifth fingers of the right hand, were granted. The effective date for these grants is November 30, 2016.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor is rated as noncompensable due to less than five percent of the total body and exposed areas being affected, with no systemic therapy required.,There is no current diagnosis of dysentery in the record. The Veteran has not provided credible evidence that he experienced a stressor during service which would support a PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the Veteran not attending a scheduled VA examination. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed neurological and psychiatric disabilities did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, and erectile dysfunction are granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active service.

The Veteran's step-son, C.L.P., is a helpless child incapable of self-support due to mental incapacity. The Board has determined that VA needs to provide the Veteran with a medical opinion regarding whether C.L.P. suffered from schizophrenia or another diagnosable mental health disorder prior to his 18th birthday.

The Board has decided that there are outstanding VA and private treatment records related to the Veteran's psychiatric condition. The case is being remanded for the VA to obtain these records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for swings in body weight was denied previously, but the Board has now reopened this claim due to new and material evidence. The psychiatric disability is rated at 50 percent prior to September 14, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's diagnosis of PTSD and the need to obtain a new VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders, left and right knee conditions with lower extremity edema, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of eye injuries and prostate disorder are reopened, but the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains denied. The low back disability is not rated higher than 20 percent, bilateral hearing loss does not meet a compensable rating, and TDIU is not granted.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his right knee disability was granted, but service connection for the condition remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining updated medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine and mental health disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA mental disorders examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is advised that failure to report for this examination may have detrimental consequences on his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a fracture of the left little finger, and the current disability requirement was not met.