Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death, and no effective date was assigned as the appeal is about service connection.

The Board has decided that the grant of service connection for PTSD was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and service connection was properly severed. The case is now remanded to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disorder, diabetes mellitus type II (DM2), stroke residuals (brain hemorrhage), and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to Agent Orange or mustard gas during his active duty for training in California, and thus cannot establish presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to missing Social Security Administration (SSA) records and need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's back condition, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral cataracts, peripheral vascular disease (left and right lower extremities), coronary artery disease post-CABG, left below-the-knee amputation, status post right 4th and 5th toe amputations with foot ulcers, recurring infections, psychiatric disorder, bleeding ulcers, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition are all found to be related to service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is denied as there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia and diabetes alone do not render him bedridden or so incapable of performing the activities of daily living that he requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive disorder; heart disorder; and right knee disorder. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was denied because there were no verifiable stressors. The new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, as well as his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, MDD, and GAD. The initial rating claim is also remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and schizophrenia, but has remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his schizophrenia.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for status as a Veteran due to lack of active military service, and thus denied any claims for service connection based on that status.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of right ear surgery with chronic ear infection is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (claimed as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and chronic sleep impairment) is also denied. The VA examiner found the Veteran does not have any diagnosed mental disorder.,The skin condition claim due to herbicide exposure remains pending as further examination is needed.

The Veteran's cause of death, suicide due to intoxication by Tramadol, is not considered service-connected. The claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits greater than $300.00 is also denied as there is no evidence linking the Veteran’s death to his service.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's military service and potential aggravation.

The Board denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Schizophrenia, Disorganized Type as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is related to his service and has granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, left leg amputation, peripheral neuropathies in both upper and lower extremities, vocal cord paralysis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are remanded for further review, as the effective dates assigned in the February 2019 rating decision need to be reconsidered. The issues of earlier effective dates for a TDIU and DEA benefits are intertwined.