Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence demonstrating that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to obtain service treatment records and military personnel records, including those related to a May 1973 in-patient detoxification while stationed in Korea. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder will be evaluated based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but did not cause deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment. The Veteran is therefore entitled to a disability rating of 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. The effective dates are April 14, 2009.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since April 28, 2001. Effective March 2, 2017, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for each ankle disability due to marked limitation of motion. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder has not been linked to service or any incident thereof and thus does not meet criteria for service connection. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been denied.

The Veteran's left arm and back chemical burn scars are rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 7801.,Prior to November 6, 2015, the acquired psychiatric disorder was rated at 50 percent. After that date, it has been rated at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain relevant records and provide supplemental opinions from VA examiners.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence was received. However, it denied both the reopening of the claim and the original claim for service connection due to lack of a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected dental disability, whether any other aspects of his overall dental condition are due to the loss of his upper front teeth, and whether he has any current residuals of a TBI or acquired psychiatric disorder associated with his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 27, 2006, for the grant of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was denied as there is no evidence showing a claim for PTSD within one year of his discharge.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a higher initial disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an updated VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with somatic symptoms and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded as they require further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and back disorders are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) claim cannot be established due to lack of a confirmed in-service stressor.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as they are not shown to have been incurred during active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was granted, while the claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied. The decision is considered 'mixed' as it includes both grants and denials.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death claim should be remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding the relationship between his service and PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no medical evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for the claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disability, or bilateral hearing loss disability.,All three disabilities were not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, that is related to his service. The Veteran's fatigue and arthralgias are also not found to be due to service.