Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's lower back disability, diagnosed as sacroiliitis and degenerative disc disease, is related to service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his alleged involvement in covert operations during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking any service-connected condition to his death. The VA examiner concluded that the acquired psychiatric disorder did not contribute to the congestive heart failure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions related to his military service, including cancer, shoulder issues, taste loss, numbness, fatigue, psychiatric disorders, and other health concerns. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness of the face and neck. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by loss of sense of taste, including any related conditions such as burned tongue or numbness of the face and neck. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by numbness of the left side of the face, neck, and chest, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or fatigue. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a condition manifested by chronic fatigue, including anemia and any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other stress-related disorders, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for residual scars related to cancer treatment, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a disability manifested by neurological deficits, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a thyroid disorder, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for fatty liver (hepatic steatosis), including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disorder, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including diarrhea and constipation, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for acid reflux, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea and other manner of sleep disorders, as well as any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction, including any related conditions such as loss of sense of taste or numbness. The Board has ordered these claims remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service in Okinawa, Japan.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability and right ankle disability, but allowed reopening of the claim for right ankle disability.,Service connection was not granted for right hip, leg/shin disabilities, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, or variously diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease. The case is remanded for further evaluation of a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder.

Service connection is granted for bilateral knee arthritis, low back disorder, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, cervical radiculopathy (right upper and left upper extremities), acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected right knee disabilities.,Service connection is granted for osteoporosis, deviated nasal septum, rhinitis, traumatic brain injury (TBI), left lower extremity patellar dysfunction, right tibia-fibula fracture residuals, right foot pes cavus deformity, right iliac crest, right lateral lower knee, and right medial knee scar, total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and service connection is remanded for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating from September 27, 2010 to October 1, 2012. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is moot as the Veteran no longer meets the criteria for TDIU due to his current service-connected PTSD.

The Board dismissed the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss. The petitions to reopen claims for service connection for tinnitus, sinusitis, migraines, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) were granted. Service connection was denied for a left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a right eye disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), and hypertension due to incomplete records and inadequate examinations. The Veteran's medical records are missing, including those from over 35 years ago. Additionally, the VA examinations were found to be insufficient.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his honorable periods of service and for health care under Chapter 17, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The evidence submitted since the last denial was found to be cumulative and not new or material.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and seizure disorder are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The left inguinal hernia claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to missing records, need for new examinations, and the need for VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for GERD and an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to service.