Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to failure to substantially comply with prior remand directives.

The Board found that the Appellant did not have current bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues were also addressed but are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is caused by her service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine and hallux valgus deformity. Her headaches are caused by her service-connected asthma. For the period from February 17, 2006 to April 13, 2016, she exhibited symptoms consistent with mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve for left lower extremity sciatica and for right lower extremity sciatica. For the period from April 14, 2016 forward, she exhibited symptoms consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve for left lower extremity sciatica. For the period from July 6, 2016 forward, she exhibited symptoms consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve for right lower extremity sciatica.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was timely filed on August 14, 1992. Therefore, an effective date of August 14, 1992 is granted.

The Veteran's sinus disorder, diagnosed as vasomotor rhinitis, was incurred during his period of active duty service. The Board finds that the evidence supports granting service connection for this condition. For the psychiatric and sleep apnea claims, additional VA medical opinions are needed to address all relevant evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability did not begin in service and is not etiologically related to service. The Veteran does not have PTSD, but has been diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder, Depression, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding cervical dysplasia. The remaining issues have not been granted as service connection is denied for ulcerative colitis, chronic respiratory disorder, chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left arm paresthesia, pancreas disorder, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pituitary gland disorder, headache disorders, and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. The Veteran is also granted a temporary 100 percent rating for PTSD from July 27, 2009 to September 30, 2009, and TDIU effective April 4, 2013.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining verification of stressor events and seeking VA evaluations or treatment records. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his sleep disorder, skin disorders, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied. The claims for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder were reopened, but denied on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, as residuals of a traumatic brain injury, was granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms have been related to his active duty service, and the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he should be granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder), and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and issuing new medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a sleep disorder, and dizziness. The new evidence presented raises reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to inconsistencies between his self-reported history and medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors. Service treatment records do not indicate any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions. The Veteran's current psychiatric condition is being treated through counseling but does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder did not have an in-service onset and is not related to his military service, nor was it caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disorder, or right knee disorder that is related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, Meniere's Disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).