Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, heart disability (claimed as a congestive heart problem), hypertension, headaches, and PTSD. The Veteran's exposure to noise during service is not considered sufficient to establish service connection.,Service records show no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder was granted. His petition to reopen his PTSD claim was denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left carpal tunnel disabilities were dismissed due to the RO granting them in full. The right ear hearing loss disability, actinic keratosis (skin condition), acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), right shoulder and knee disabilities, sleep apnea, hernia, GERD, and TBI have been denied. Service connection for hypertension has also been denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the appeal can be decided. The Veteran's psychiatric disability may have pre-existed service, and further examination is needed to determine its etiology. The TDIU issue also requires additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for a new examination and review of all treatment records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss, PTSD, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was granted. The decision is based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability and psychiatric disability, with the latter being remanded due to confusion regarding notification of a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them for further development and examination.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including low back disability, bilateral foot disability, lung disability, headache disability, LADD, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, enlarged prostate condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, previously denied as PTSD, is granted. The new evidence received within one year of the denial includes a VA psychologist's opinion linking the current diagnosis to in-service stressors. Service connection is established based on the occurrence of a fear-of-hostile-military-terrorist activity stressor.

The claim to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD is granted. The Veteran's left knee disability and right foot injury (5th metatarsal fracture) are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a headache disorder and remanded several other issues including service connection for a sacrospinal disorder, tinnitus, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and insomnia), a cervical disorder, total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU), and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar disorder.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus was withdrawn during the October 2017 Board hearing. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a respiratory condition (claimed as asthma) have been reopened due to new and material evidence.,The remaining issues, including lumbar spine, bilateral knee, bilateral foot, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders, are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for schizophrenia. The Veteran's statements regarding his psychiatric history are considered duplicative, and medical records do not address whether schizophrenia was caused by or had onset in active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, paranoid type, and borderline personality disorder, is granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Board's decision denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was vacated due to the expiration of the 60-day period provided to submit additional evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10% based on limitation of motion, but no higher. Separate ratings have been granted for instability and removal of the semilunar cartilage.,Service connection has been established for PTSD and depression with an effective date set at February 18, 2011.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PPD converter, sleep disorder (now claimed as sleep apnea), PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to newly obtained VA treatment records and a VA examination report. The claims include service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric condition (major depressive disorder), varicose veins of the left and right lower extremities, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to incomplete records, including a lack of supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The Veteran's claims are related to service connection for various conditions.