Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, right knee degenerative joint disease, right eye glaucoma, and hearing loss in both ears. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of a nexus to service.,There is no credible evidence linking the current disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need to provide notice regarding alternative sources of evidence for her PTSD claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 50 percent for the period prior to April 12, 2017. For the period beginning April 12, 2017, a higher rating is denied.

The Board granted service connection for chronic mouth ulcers (pemphigus) and bilateral peripheral vascular disease, but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The diagnoses are considered direct rather than due to a presumption or undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has remanded the claims for an examination to determine if there is a medical nexus between the claimed conditions and in-service exposures.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disability secondary to his service-connected disabilities was not properly addressed in the previous examination, and thus requires further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), IBS, and TDIU are all granted. The rating for IBS is increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected status post total right knee arthroplasty caused him to fall and shoot himself in the left tibia resulting in a left tibia disorder. The Veteran also has an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) that was rated at 70% from October 18, 2012 to November 3, 2013 and February 1, 2014 to present.,From November 4, 2013 to January 31, 2014, the Veteran's depression was rated at 100% due to hospitalization.

The Board has decided that more information is needed to determine if the Veteran's PTSD and other psychiatric disorders are related to her in-service military sexual trauma. The case is being sent back for further investigation.

The Board has denied service connection for retinal disease, hypertension, kidney disease, skin cancer, Parkinson's, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) as these conditions are not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as it is related to an in-service injury.,The left leg disability is granted as secondary to the service-connected low back disability.,The acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder) is granted as secondary to a service-connected condition (coronary artery disease).,Service connection for dizziness is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to an in-service event.

The claims for service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and schizophrenia have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received. The claim for service connection for a headache disorder has been reopened.,A VA opinion in May 2017 indicated that the Veteran's schizophrenia is more likely than not caused by his pyeloplasty for uretero-pelvic junction obstruction, which was aggravated by post-surgical pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, completion of a Veterans Application for Increased Compensation based on Unemployability form, and scheduling of a VA mental health examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for gastrointestinal disability, initial rating for low back disability, higher ratings for paranoid schizophrenia, and TDIU.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted a 10% evaluation from November 26, 2012.,Service connection for scars on the left and right medial thighs is granted.,Service connection for hepatitis C is reopened and granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder) is reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence showing the Veteran was seen and prescribed pain medication in June 2009 for back pain and bilateral knee pain. The claims will be adjudicated on a de novo basis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues, including reopening a previously denied claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and assigning initial ratings for other disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for service connection for schizophrenia. The Veteran's preexisting condition of schizophrenia is deemed to have existed prior to service, and it is not considered aggravated by service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, and he is now entitled to a rating of 30% for mood disorder effective March 7, 1995.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder and headaches, to include secondary to service-connected tinnitus due to conflicting evidence of record. The Veteran's statements regarding his in-service stressors are found to lack credibility.