Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for right knee injury residuals, asthma, acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and posttraumatic stress disorder), epidermis removal, kidney stones, hypertension, transient ischemic attacks, cardiovascular disease, and a right lung disability.,There is no evidence of any chronic right knee disability during active duty or within one year after separation. The appellant's current right knee disability was not related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Board found that asthma did not manifest during active duty service and there is no indication it is related to an in-service disease or injury.,There is no evidence of a psychiatric disability during active duty service, nor within one year after separation. The appellant's current acquired psychiatric disability was not linked to his military service.,Epidermis removal was not noted in service records and there is no indication it is related to the appellant’s active service.,Hypertension did not manifest during active duty or within one year of discharge, nor is there any evidence linking it to an in-service disease or injury.,Transient ischemic attacks were not present during active duty or within one year after separation. There is no indication that post-service transient ischemic attack or its residuals are causally related to active service.,Cardiovascular disease did not manifest during active duty or within one year of discharge, nor is there any evidence linking it to an in-service disease or injury.,A right lung disability was not present during active duty or within one year after separation. There is no indication that the current right lung disability is causally related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including a back disability, sleep apnea, skin disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for Erectile Dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder, testicular cancer, acne, and a vasomotor disturbance (Raynaud’s syndrome) as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted in July 2012, with an effective date of July 6, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression and anxiety), finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is remanded due to the lack of recent audiometric test results.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability, neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inextricably intertwined issues with TDIU. The Veteran's income was found not to exceed maximum annual pension rates, allowing him to receive NSC pension.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the rating for a lumbar spine disability and the rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to psychiatric symptomatology, warranting a rating of 50 percent from December 8, 2015 to May 15, 2018.

The case is being remanded due to the Veteran's incarceration, and a VA examination cannot be conducted at this time. The examiner will need to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, insomnia with nightmares, and alcohol dependence, and whether these conditions are related to his service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder claim will also be remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome. The claim for diabetes was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting information about the cause of death. The Appellant argues that the Veteran died from a heart attack, while his death certificate states he died from a stroke. The VA needs to determine which is accurate and whether any service-connected conditions contributed to the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several issues including bilateral tinnitus, left hand disability, cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, residuals of latent TB, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, left leg disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to inadequate development in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA psychiatric examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is being reviewed, along with her claims for service connection and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and onychomycosis, based on service aggravation. The remaining issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy, and restless leg syndrome are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in January 2010, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen this claim. The effective date of service connection for tinnitus is granted as August 1, 2013, but no earlier. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, COPD, and PAD are all granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The Board has remanded both claims due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chest pain has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.,Two issues have been remanded: one regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and another for evaluation in excess of 40 percent for tension headaches.