Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also granted as service-connected, while sleep apnea, valvular heart disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease), and hypertension were denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is established based on noise exposure during combat in Vietnam. Service connection for valvular heart disease was not established due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or caused by service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder other than PTSD, depressive disorder, and a psychiatric sleep disorder is granted.,Service connection is also granted for the lumbar spine disorder. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the current lumbar spine disorder is related to the Veteran's in-service low back pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional information from the Veteran regarding his current treatment providers. The claims will be reviewed again based on this new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset during or within a year after separation from service and is otherwise unrelated to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disorder and remanded other issues related to his claims. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current cervical spine disorders, right and left upper extremity radiculopathies, and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to procedural defects and the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as the evidence did not show a relevant in-service incident that led to the development of the condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, panic disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, general anxiety disorder, and paranoid schizophrenia, are granted to the fullest extent.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Veteran is diagnosed with an acquired psychiatric disorder and his STRs show anxiety during active service, and he is service-connected for a stomach and ulcer disorder since 1954. He should be afforded VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for SMC based on A&A and/or being HB and for TDIU must await the adjudication of this claim.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, as the July 1978 incident was determined to be a result of the Veteran's own misconduct.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, lower back disability, and psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support finding that any current disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disability, including as secondary to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The remand requires a medical examination to determine if Ehlers-Danlos is a congenital defect or disease, and whether it was aggravated by exposure to chemicals in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including muscle weakness, dizziness, chronic fatigue, rhinitis, sinus disorder other than rhinitis, sleep apnea, GERD, skin disorder (claimed as skin lumps), headache disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to the appellant's 18th birthday, and her work history indicates she was capable of supporting herself before age 18.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and left thumb disability due to lack of evidence regarding service connection. The Veteran is also awaiting resolution of a Federal Circuit case that may affect his claim for bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities. The examiner will also assess whether the acquired psychiatric disorder or PTSD is proximately due to or the result of the Veteran’s service-connected left knee disability, lumbar strain, and left hip strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the increased rating of 50 percent for residuals of left knee injury is not warranted. The Veteran's claim was received on May 15, 2013, and a separate 10 percent rating was granted in February 2014.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and analysis regarding his PTSD diagnosis and its relation to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified neurodevelopmental disorder, finding that his cognitive issues were aggravated by a traumatic brain injury during his second period of active duty.