Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral foot disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and bipolar disorder) are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, was not shown during service or within one year of separation. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against a finding that this condition is related to service.,Hypertension was not shown in service and did not manifest within one year after discharge. The Board also finds the preponderance of evidence against a finding that hypertension is related to service.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, foot drop, and a psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence or conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for PTSD was not supported by medical evidence meeting DSM-5 criteria, and his major depressive disorder is not related to service. Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the issues of initial rating disability rating greater than 20 percent for a lumbar spine condition, service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD), and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma. The evidence did not establish a diagnosis of PTSD in conformance with DSM-5 criteria and the VA examiner found no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective October 15, 2018. His PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated as total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to provide additional supporting evidence regarding his claimed stressors and undergo VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder is granted, and the claims for increased rating for PTSD and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish that her current condition is related to her military service.,Her claim for service connection for a heart disorder has been reopened and is granted. The Board found new evidence showing she currently suffers from coronary artery disease post-CABG surgery.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hysterectomy was denied as there was no evidence linking the condition to her military service.,Her claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and is granted. The Board found new evidence showing she currently suffers from major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep condition has not been substantiated, as there is no evidence that the current condition began during her military service or is related to any in-service injury.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran’s CAD, valvular heart disease, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and cardiac arrest with multiple stent placements began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was granted, with the condition being diagnosed as lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease. The other claims were either denied or dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a head injury, tingling in the left hand, and tingling in the right hand. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include substance-induced depressive disorder, is also denied.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids and for service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a left foot condition was denied.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for sleep disorder and hallux valgus of the right foot were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a gallbladder disorder due to in-service injuries. The VA is instructed to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including PTSD and spine and joint disorders. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of this development.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case, and the Veteran did not waive initial RO consideration.