Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The appeal regarding service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

This decision denies earlier effective dates for service connection for hypertension, a 70% rating for PTSD and major depression, TDIU benefits, and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) due to the lack of factual ascertainability or other valid legal basis.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension was granted on July 28, 2011, which corresponds with his separation date. The effective date is not earlier than this date as it is factually ascertainable that the disability arose prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran has tinnitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for hepatitis C and depression was granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) secondary to hepatitis C.

The Board has decided that the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypertension secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder need further examination and opinion. The Veteran's testimony during his June 2018 hearing indicated he was seeking service connection for these conditions as secondary to his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a respiratory disorder (asbestosis) due to his withdrawal. The issues of service connection for hypertension and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service petroleum exposure and its impact on the Veteran's health. The Veteran is requested to undergo examinations by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any respiratory disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not attributable to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and chronic pain syndrome, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. Headache disorder and memory loss disorder are also not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional substantive development is required for the initial rating, service connection and TDIU claims due to the need for a VA examination and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been granted. The Board has remanded several other issues including service connection for thyroid disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, neck disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, cataracts, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's daughter's claim for permanent incapacity for self-support due to mental or physical defect prior to attaining age 18, finding insufficient evidence of permanent incapacity at that time.

The appeal has been expanded to include all acquired psychiatric disorders due to the evidence of record. A remand is needed to address several psychiatric diagnoses and provide a nexus opinion, especially regarding one claimed stressor related to an in-service aircraft accident.

The Board has received new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression). The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in its July 2016 decision, where it relied on VA examiners' conclusions that the Veteran did not have PTSD. The case is now being sent back for a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for right foot plantar fasciitis, right ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, benign prostatic hyperplasia and hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction (ED), left foot plantar fasciitis, bilateral onychomycosis, eye disorder, left ankle disorder, back disorder, and tinnitus have all been denied. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral eye disability, bronchitis, collapsed left lung, viral infection of the lungs, and an acquired psychiatric disability, all allegedly due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claims will be reviewed with additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous disorder was reopened and granted. He is also granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, depressive type, and generalized anxiety disorder.,Service connection has been established for left hip disability, hypertension, and kidney disability (conceded exposure to tetrachloride).

The Board has granted an effective date of December 21, 2009 for a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability.