Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout is denied as there is no evidence linking the current diagnosis to his military service.,Service connection for malaria is also denied due to a lack of medical records showing any in-service or recent diagnoses.,Hypothyroid disease was previously denied and new material evidence has not been submitted, so the claim remains denied.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder claim is reopened based on new evidence supporting its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for hepatitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hepatitis in the record.,Periodontitis was previously denied and no new material evidence has been submitted, so the claim remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, COPD and chronic bronchitis, migraine headaches, right elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, right ear hearing loss, intermittent vertigo, intermittent hand tremors, and intermittent blackouts. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed stressors or a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), diabetic neuropathy of the left hand, right hand, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity due to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The Regional Office should obtain any outstanding service treatment records, military personnel records, and post-service treatment records for the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of residuals from service-connected pneumococcal cerebral meningitis. Additional medical records are needed, including those from a VA Vet Center in Fort Myers, Florida.

The Board has denied service connection for left-hand disability, sleep disorder, skin condition (claimed as hives), and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for chronic diarrhea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his service connection for Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, psychiatric disability, kidney stones, and liver condition. The claims will be further evaluated with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, is granted service connection. The initial disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea remains at 50%. The initial disability rating for ischemic heart disease remains at 10%. For the period prior to April 18, 2014, the initial disability rating for ulcerative colitis is granted at 60%. The initial compensation rating for residuals of bilateral inguinal hernias remains at 0%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder strain, a compensable rating for her right hip disability with limited flexion and right thigh impairment, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant treatment records, complete the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation folder, request information regarding in-service stressors, and schedule a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a shoulder disability and psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and alcoholism. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder degenerative joint disease, cervical spine condition, sinus condition, and acquired psychiatric condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The appeals were remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active duty service. The Veteran needs a VA examination and any relevant VA treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to Parkinson's disease) due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence linking any past experiences to his current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss, gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, fatigue, multi-joint and muscle pain, low back disorder, neurological disorders of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral knee disorder have all been denied.,The Board found that there was no evidence linking any of these conditions to service or qualifying Persian Gulf Service.

The claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's back disorder, gastritis, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all under review.

The Veteran's cognitive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the claim for service connection for PTSD is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis and existing service-connected condition.