Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's schizophrenia and psychosis were not incurred in service, and the criteria for service connection for a psychosis for treatment purposes under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 have not been met.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional examinations and reviews of medical records, particularly regarding the Veteran's psychiatric and respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his combat experiences in service and the benefit of doubt has been applied, granting service connection for PTSD. The left knee increased rating claim will be remanded due to lack of Correia compliant examination. The right knee and lumbar spine claims are also remanded as there were no proximate cause opinions provided.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and neuropathy of the lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his active military service in Thailand. The acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is also service connected.,Service connection was established based on a finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service, specifically his time stationed at Korat air base in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's suicide was caused by an acquired psychiatric disability that began during service and contributed to his death. The claim is granted as the evidence shows a new and material condition related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, cardiovascular disease with tachycardia and arrhythmia, or an acquired psychiatric disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a heart disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for a heart disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, GERD, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the appeal is being remanded due to additional evidence needing to be obtained and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's psychiatric and right leg disability claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and developing stressor verification information.

The Veteran's service-connected stress-related psychiatric disorder and neurocognitive disorder prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during the period from October 9, 2015 to December 27, 2015.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is service-connected, and his sleep apnea is secondary to this condition. The Board finds no evidence of asbestos exposure or other conditions related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder, and a stomach condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection was denied as a matter of law due to his denial of service connection for the underlying psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his military service and arthritis may not be presumed due to its onset more than one year after separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral pes planus, finding that new evidence did not warrant reopening of the service connection claim for PTSD. The rating for bilateral pes planus remained at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right knee based on a finding that it is presumptively related to service, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran. The other issues remain pending and are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a missed VA psychiatric examination, and a new examination is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, and CFS as claimed. The evidence shows complaints of fatigue but no diagnosis of these conditions during or after service.