Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and found no causal link to service. The left knee disability was also denied as not related to service.

The Board finds sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a psychiatric disorder, with the latter being related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is also granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatica.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and posttraumatic headaches are denied. The Veteran's TBI is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has granted reopening of the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new evidence received since the prior denial is material to these claims.,Service connection is now established for a heart disorder. The Veteran's current heart disorder is found to be causally connected to his in-service rheumatic fever.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies are found to be due to herbicide agent exposure, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and chloracne of the back and right leg are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board determined that the December 1999 rating decision assigning a single 10 percent rating for bilateral knee disorder was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.,Service connection is granted for an eye disorder (dry eyes).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and non-service connected pension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying his service dates.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, tinnitus, right foot hallux valgus, and left salpingo-oophorectomy with appendectomy. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened but not granted. Other issues were also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and psychiatric hospital treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not presumed to be service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and dysthymic disorder, a bilateral ankle disorder, migraine headaches, right wrist arthritis, and neurological symptoms in the left lower extremity. The Board found insufficient credible supporting evidence to corroborate the claimed in-service stressors of MST or personal assault, and concluded that there was no diagnosis of PTSD based on these stressors. The Veteran's depressive disorder is not service connected.

The Board found that the appellant did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic retinopathy, or peripheral neuropathy due to service connection. The stressors claimed by the appellant were determined to be the result of willful misconduct and thus do not qualify as in-service stressors for PTSD.

The Board found that there is no competent and credible evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, thus he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD based on verified in-service stressor. As such, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and the lower back disability is being remanded for further examination. The left knee strain disability remains under review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his right knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete evidence and need for addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's claims.