Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bladder cancer, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's representative requested a VA examination for his mental health issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and adjustment disorder) due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for tuberculosis is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C is granted. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied.,A disability manifested by cramps in the thighs and legs has not been established.,Service connection for a hammertoe of the right foot has not been established.,Allergic rhinitis did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.,Hypertension did not have its onset in service; did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; and is not otherwise related to service.,Erectile dysfunction did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.,A prostate disorder did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.,Toenail fungus did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.,An acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were initially denied due to his service-connected disabilities not constituting an employment handicap. However, a significant change in his disability picture has occurred since the initial denial, including new service connection for hepatitis C and hypertension. The Board now requires a functional capacity evaluation to determine if he currently suffers from an employment handicap.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating issues, effective from March 16, 2012. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 for TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right wrist disorder, back disorder, neck disorder, left knee strain, and right knee disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Veteran reported an onset during active duty and the VA examiner opined that excessive noise exposure may have been a precursor to tinnitus at that time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his incarceration, requiring VA to secure updated medical records and arrange for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any disabilities claimed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability was denied due to lack of evidence of current disability and no direct link between the claimed condition and service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was also denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during service or any link to service.,The Board found that while the Veteran reported traumatic events, there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spondylosis, bilateral hearing loss, high cholesterol, heart condition (to include as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea), migraines, and an acquired psychiatric condition have all been denied.,Service connection was not granted because the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bipolar disorder is granted for the period prior to April 17, 2017. For the period beginning April 17, 2017, the claim is denied as there is no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being received since the last decision in July 2014. The Veteran's mental health conditions and right knee disability have been treated with VA, but the claims for service connection are still pending.

The Board denied service connection for both the right knee disability and the psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a psychiatric disability was denied as there was no earlier received claim.

The Board has decided to remand several issues, including the rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), left hip disability, and TDIU. The decision also requires a new VA examination for each of these conditions.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a low back disability and psychiatric disability. The VA treatment records from October 20, 2017, to the present need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for a degenerative bone disease, low back disability, and variously diagnosed psychiatric disability due to insufficient medical evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for a right arm disorder, neck disorder, and back disorder. The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) were also denied as secondary to the back disorder.,Service records did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 20, 2009, finding that his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability alone did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss was granted. The Board found new and material evidence supporting these claims, including the Veteran's in-service exposure to noise during his service as an ammo handler. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending due to insufficient evidence linking current hearing loss to service. The claim for PTSD and depression was denied due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claims for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD). The claims are being remanded for further development.