Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (including depression and anxiety). The issue of TDIU was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including chronic pain and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including an acquired psychiatric disorder due to MST and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, are found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete addendum opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spinal stenosis was not incurred in or related to his service.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to acoustic trauma during service in Vietnam.,Tinnitus is less likely than not related to the Veteran’s service, as there were no threshold shifts noted.,The phantom pain from amputated left fingers may be aggravated by diabetes mellitus type II.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity are secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity are secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and polysubstance dependence) is not related to service, as he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II requires further examination.,Residuals of prostate cancer require an evaluation from February 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues of service connection for back condition, hyperlipidemia, acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, left lower extremity PAD, and right lower extremity PAD remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for permanent chronic pain, permanent nerve condition and bowel damage has been dismissed.,Service connection was denied for degenerative arthritis of the neck and spine due to lack of evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left hand disability, left hip disability, psychiatric disability, recurrent anemia, and increased ratings for lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims are also inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to December 8, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board found no new evidence that would reopen the claim for cervical spine disorder, and there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the other conditions.

The Board has remanded the previously denied claims for service connection due to new evidence received, including service personnel records and STRs. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claim will be reconsidered based on his reported in-service stressors and pre-existing condition aggravation. His back disorder with associated lower extremity disorder and flat feet claims are also being reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, skin disorder, tremors/Parkinson’s disease, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence submitted since the May 2011 decision did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to unclear evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to his in-service motorcycle accident. The claims will be further evaluated after obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was denied, while his schizophrenia received a 70% disability rating effective from May 11, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to a personal assault during service, should be remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.