Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hypertension, a cardiac disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (including posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression), a prostate disability, or erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.,There is no nexus between the current diagnoses and service. The VA examiners found no medical evidence linking the appellant's current conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed respiratory disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, left upper and lower nerve disorders, and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident have not met the criteria for increased ratings prior to April 15, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder and bilateral leg disorder, finding no evidence of a current disability or causal link to service. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with the DSM-V.,The Veteran's claims for residuals of a head injury and headaches were not addressed due to lack of competent evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Army Reserve records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disability, hypertension, and low back/knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not serve during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and therefore cannot establish veteran status. As such, service connection is denied for all claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying in-service stressors.

The Veteran's depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder) and denied the remaining issues. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active duty service.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current tension-type headaches and service, nor did it find any link between his acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depression with Anxiety) and service. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Veteran's hypertension has not manifested as diastolic pressure predominantly of 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly of 200 or more during the appeal period. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for tinnitus, a sleep disability, high blood pressure, a gastrointestinal disability (ulcerative colitis), or a headache disability. The acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder) is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than her service-connected major depressive disorder was denied. The Board found no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service assault and concluded that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability other than her already service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The remaining issues remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia is at least as likely as not incurred in active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for schizophrenia.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically major depressive disorder, is found to be related to his military service and the claim for service connection is granted.