Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety).,The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence of these conditions.

The Veteran's paranoid schizophrenia is found to have begun during his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination. The examiner must determine if there is at least a 50% probability that the condition began in service, was caused by service, or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right and left leg disorders, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, GERD, erectile dysfunction, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, achilles tendonitis, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, edema of the lower extremities, residuals of a head injury, migraine headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica of the left leg, and psychiatric disorder manifested by a head injury, all related to Reserve service. The Board found that there was no evidence of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported exposure to toxic chemicals at March Air Force Base. The claims are pending until all requested records, including VA and private medical records, as well as information regarding contaminants at the base, are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the VA criteria for establishing a hearing loss disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, and therefore his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be denied. The cases of low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depression) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for headaches, hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals will be readjudicated after the completion of the requested development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The back disability claim is being remanded for a VA examination, while the psychiatric disability claim remains inextricably intertwined with the back disability claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review. The Board will consider whether his service connection claim should be granted based on direct evidence of a link between his in-service depression and current psychiatric condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The increased rating claim for right foot hallux valgus is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's pancreatic cancer is not service-connected, but his psychiatric disability (schizophrenia) may be related to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided are inadequate for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's disabilities may be related to his military noise exposure, but further medical examination is needed to establish a clear link between these conditions and his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a head scar and TBI residuals was denied. Service connection for PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from April 25, 2017.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and MDD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unresolved issues and need for further examination. The claims include psychiatric, sinus, atrial fibrillation, lung disability, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's right knee condition is granted service connection, and his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Major Depression) is also granted. The rating for the left shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis remains at 10%.

The Veteran's service connection for cerebellar ataxia and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood) is granted as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; low back disorder; sleep apnea; and acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) have been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.