Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has denied service connection for right knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as a skin disability and PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's motion for revision of a December 1969 rating decision that denied service connection for schizophrenic reaction, paranoid type based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) because there was no evidence to establish such error. The correct facts were not before the adjudicator as the RO applied the law extant at the time.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder was primarily manifested by severe episodes of depression and moderate to severe episodes of anxiety, resulting in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the condition prior to May 27, 2014.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including verifying periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, and its etiology. The Veteran's service record shows he was assigned as a second mechanic on Combat Air Crew Eight from July 1, 1968 to November 1, 1968. However, his reported in-service event is not verified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and a heart condition have been denied as there is no direct evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The exposure basis was not established due to lack of herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and thus not meeting the first element required for any grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder), and tinnitus due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a verifiable stressor and insufficient continuity of care to support a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient information in the record. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination to assess his claimed disabilities, and additional development is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), left foot disorder, and low back disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for unspecified anxiety disorder due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied. The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and left knee disorder were granted based on herbicide exposure in Thailand. The acquired psychiatric disability claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury, left knee disorder, psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, and headaches has been granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is dismissed. His petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted, and the claim is granted. The Veteran’s petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for asthma, hemorrhoids, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to service-connected asthma. The VA will request additional medical opinions regarding the use of corticosteroids in asthma treatment, the reliability of PFT results, the severity of hemorrhoids, and the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and a low back disability, finding no current disabilities. The claim for psychiatric disability is remanded due to the need for an examination.,Service connection will be considered if there is evidence of a current disability that began during or was aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for left eye blindness and Parkinson's disease, among other conditions. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for the remaining listed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, abdominal aortic aneurysm, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorders, vocal cord dysfunction, bilateral knee and shoulder disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and scars. The development includes obtaining service personnel records for the Veteran's periods of active duty and National Guard service, as well as verifying any qualifying periods of service.,The Board also notes that the Veteran has contended that his conditions are related to hazardous exposures during his period of active duty, including exposure to jet fuel and chemicals. The AOJ should attempt to verify these claims and obtain VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.