Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, tinnitus, right foot hallux valgus, and left salpingo-oophorectomy with appendectomy. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened but not granted. Other issues were also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and psychiatric hospital treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not presumed to be service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and dysthymic disorder, a bilateral ankle disorder, migraine headaches, right wrist arthritis, and neurological symptoms in the left lower extremity. The Board found insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate the claimed in-service stressors of MST or personal assault, and concluded that there was no diagnosis of PTSD based on these stressors. The Veteran's depressive disorder is not service connected.

The Board found that the appellant did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, or peripheral neuropathy due to service connection. The stressors claimed by the appellant were determined to be the result of willful misconduct and thus do not qualify as in-service stressors for PTSD.

The Board found that there is no competent and credible evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, thus he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD based on verified in-service stressor. As such, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and the lower back disability is being remanded for further examination. The left knee strain disability remains under review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his right knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete evidence and need for addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder or a depressive disorder, has been denied as there is no evidence of any current diagnosed psychiatric disability related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after service separation. The VA opinions provided were against a nexus between current disabilities and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric condition was not manifest during service or within one year of service. The weight of evidence shows that his service-connected disability does not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's melanoma status post surgeries was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and is not etiologically related to active duty service. The presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,There is no current diagnosis or other competent finding of COPD. The Veteran does not have COPD.,The Veteran's hearing loss is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's tinnitus is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and memory loss) is not etiologically related to active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia was previously rated at 50 percent, but beginning November 27, 2017, the rating has been increased to 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether any diagnosed psychiatric disability is caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities. The SMC claim may also be affected due to the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA examination to address whether any acquired psychiatric disorder clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, if so, whether it was aggravated by service, or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and further examination. The issues of service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI to include headaches and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions, but granted a 70 percent disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, linked to active service. The most probative evidence does not establish a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.