Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder or a depressive disorder, has been denied as there is no evidence of any current diagnosed psychiatric disability related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after service separation. The VA opinions provided were against a nexus between current disabilities and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric condition was not manifest during service or within one year of service. The weight of evidence shows that his service-connected disability does not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's melanoma status post surgeries was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and is not etiologically related to active duty service. The presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,There is no current diagnosis or other competent finding of COPD. The Veteran does not have COPD.,The Veteran's hearing loss is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's tinnitus is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and memory loss) is not etiologically related to active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia was previously rated at 50 percent, but beginning November 27, 2017, the rating has been increased to 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether any diagnosed psychiatric disability is caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities. The SMC claim may also be affected due to the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA examination to address whether any acquired psychiatric disorder clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, if so, whether it was aggravated by service, or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and further examination. The issues of service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI to include headaches and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions, but granted a 70 percent disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, linked to active service. The most probative evidence does not establish a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability has been reopened. The Board finds that the Veteran has a cervical spine disability secondary to his service-connected low back disability and grants this claim. However, further examination is needed to determine appropriate ratings for other disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for vertiginous migraines and headaches of an unspecified nature was granted.,His previously denied claim for service connection for a left hip disability has been reopened, with the new evidence showing current symptoms and linking them to his service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is found to be related to service. The TDIU claim is granted as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as alcoholism) and bilateral hip vascular disease, secondary to alcoholism are both denied. The Board found that the Veteran's alcoholism is a result of his own willful misconduct in service, thus precluding compensation. There is no evidence of any current psychiatric disability or chronic hip condition within one year post-service for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, GERD, right and left knee disabilities, and ED are all found to be related to his service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a heart condition, postoperative residuals of left inguinal hernia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and stroke are found to be related to service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection for these conditions is granted on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to his service-connected duodenal ulcer with vagotomy, pylorplasty, appendectomy, and subtotal gastrectomy. The acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD and major depressive disorder) and prostate cancer are not found to be related to the Camp Lejeune water contamination. Erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.