Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability has been reopened. The Board finds that the Veteran has a cervical spine disability secondary to his service-connected low back disability and grants this claim. However, further examination is needed to determine appropriate ratings for other disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for vertiginous migraines and headaches of an unspecified nature was granted.,His previously denied claim for service connection for a left hip disability has been reopened, with the new evidence showing current symptoms and linking them to his service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is found to be related to service. The TDIU claim is granted as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as alcoholism) and bilateral hip vascular disease, secondary to alcoholism are both denied. The Board found that the Veteran's alcoholism is a result of his own willful misconduct in service, thus precluding compensation. There is no evidence of any current psychiatric disability or chronic hip condition within one year post-service for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, GERD, right and left knee disabilities, and ED are all found to be related to his service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a heart condition, postoperative residuals of left inguinal hernia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and stroke are found to be related to service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection for these conditions is granted on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to his service-connected duodenal ulcer with vagotomy, pylorplasty, appendectomy, and subtotal gastrectomy. The acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD and major depressive disorder) and prostate cancer are not found to be related to the Camp Lejeune water contamination. Erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found the evidence did not support a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the rating for his psychiatric disability associated with acne vulgaris.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressor event. The Board found that there was no verified non-combat stressor and thus could not establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired depressive disorder with anxious distress features is related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,The Board has also found that the Veteran's headaches are secondary to his diagnosed depressive disorder and tinnitus. As a result, the Veteran is granted service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been rated at the highest available level (70%) since July 1, 2009. The Board found that his symptoms warrant this rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has found sufficient evidence to grant service connection for residuals of a back injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete VA examination and failure to consider continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a nervous disorder and depression, that is related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and higher ratings has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals regarding the skin disability and bilateral hearing loss issues. The Board determined a 70 percent initial rating is warranted for the acquired psychiatric disorder throughout the period of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected dizziness is rated at 30 percent prior to July 17, 2013. The Veteran's IBS is rated as noncompensable under DC 8873-7319. Service connection for PTSD with depression and chronic fatigue syndrome are granted.