Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's military service and his current mental health condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been presented. The low back disorder claim is reopened, but further examination is needed to determine if a low back disorder is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied as there is no evidence to support the onset of these conditions during active service or otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete development of evidence. The Veteran's Social Security records need to be obtained, and new opinions are required regarding the etiology of his knee disabilities and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for the claims of service connection for broken right foot, arthritis of right acromioclavicular joint, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including a mood disorder, anxiety, and depression).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is granted, and the issue of TDIU prior to November 15, 2010 is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was granted a 70% rating effective January 25, 2016.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted effective January 25, 2016.

The appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for right knee condition is granted. The claims of service connection for cervical, bilateral ankle, headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), blurred vision, dizziness, back condition, and bilateral hip conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is granted as service connected. The claim was re-adjudicated due to new evidence submitted after the October 2018 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for other specified anxiety disorder, chronic, including depression, nightmares, panic attacks, claustrophobia, and PTSD, with an effective date of March 26, 2004. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service stressors as a cryptographer.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder that may be present, including PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include psychosis (schizophrenia), was incurred while in service and granted service connection.,His hypertension is caused by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, to include psychosis, and granted secondary service connection.,His stroke is caused by his service-connected hypertension and granted secondary service connection.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, has not been met due to lack of in-service occurrence or chronicity within one year of separation from service.,There is no current diagnosis of headaches during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a ruptured appendix is denied as the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish that any such present disorder is etiologically related to service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher initial rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of prior claims or unadjudicated formal/informal claims. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and gastritis. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD, is granted as secondary to a traumatic brain injury. The initial rating of 30 percent for posttraumatic headaches from July 30, 2009, is granted. However, the claim for a higher rating for posttraumatic headaches is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development of evidence regarding his in-service assault and head injury, as well as his psychological conditions. The case will be returned to the RO for further investigation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for joint disabilities of the back is reopened. The appeal remains pending with respect to his claims for PTSD and a low back disability, which are both remanded.