Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral feet and heel disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are all granted. However, the claim for service connection for skin cancer is remanded due to lack of medical opinion on its relation to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his requests for a hearing before a Decision Review Officer (DRO). The claims include back injury, neck condition, macular degeneration, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's diplopia is granted as a symptom of her service-connected migraine headaches. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for neck disability, right hip disability, and neuropathy. Service connection was granted for acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 17, 2008 for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia was denied. The Board found that there were no new claims filed before this decision and that the July 2004 rating decision became final.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are at least as likely as not related to her service in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The claim for service connection for a neurological disorder, neck disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral shoulder disability, chronic headaches, and psychiatric disability is denied.,The claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and medical opinions regarding the service connection of PTSD, including its secondary relationship to headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate and neuropsychiatric disorders due to inadequate VA examinations. The examination should address whether these conditions are related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for colon cancer is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or due to any in-service exposure.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as it did not begin during service and there is no evidence linking it to service, including Agent Orange exposure.,The Veteran's skin disease is presumed to be caused by his service in Vietnam, but the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or was otherwise caused by such service.,Service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service, including Agent Orange exposure. The condition did not manifest within one year of presumed exposure.,The Veteran's back disability is not linked to his service and the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or was otherwise caused by such service.,Service connection for a mental disorder is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout is denied as there is no evidence linking the current diagnosis to his military service.,Service connection for malaria is also denied due to a lack of medical records showing any in-service or recent diagnoses.,Hypothyroid disease was previously denied and new material evidence has not been submitted, so the claim remains denied.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder claim is reopened based on new evidence supporting its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for hepatitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hepatitis in the record.,Periodontitis was previously denied and no new material evidence has been submitted, so the claim remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, COPD and chronic bronchitis, migraine headaches, right elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, right ear hearing loss, intermittent vertigo, intermittent hand tremors, and intermittent blackouts. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed stressors or a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), diabetic neuropathy of the left hand, right hand, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity due to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The Regional Office should obtain any outstanding service treatment records, military personnel records, and post-service treatment records for the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of residuals from service-connected pneumococcal cerebral meningitis. Additional medical records are needed, including those from a VA Vet Center in Fort Myers, Florida.

The Board has denied service connection for left-hand disability, sleep disorder, skin condition (claimed as hives), and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for chronic diarrhea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his service connection for Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, psychiatric disability, kidney stones, and liver condition. The claims will be further evaluated with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, is granted service connection. The initial disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea remains at 50%. The initial disability rating for ischemic heart disease remains at 10%. For the period prior to April 18, 2014, the initial disability rating for ulcerative colitis is granted at 60%. The initial compensation rating for residuals of bilateral inguinal hernias remains at 0%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder strain, a compensable rating for her right hip disability with limited flexion and right thigh impairment, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant treatment records, complete the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation folder, request information regarding in-service stressors, and schedule a VA examination.