Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran has been granted service connection for dysthymic disorder and hypertension, both of which are considered direct service connections.,There is no evidence of a current ingrown toenail disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete treatment records from Highland Rivers Health Clinic and will need to obtain these records before making a decision on the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for various service connection claims, including those related to his throat disorder and diabetes mellitus, have been withdrawn. The claim for a throat disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for bipolar disorder was denied. The Board found that the December 2003 rating decision denying PTSD did not contain clear and unmistakable error, as there were no medical opinions linking his current psychiatric disorders to service at that time.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. However, the evidence does not establish that the Veteran engaged in combat or that his claimed stressor is related to a fear of hostile military activity. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an alcohol and substance use disorder was granted, and he is now entitled to this benefit. The effective date for the grant of service connection for social anxiety disorder is set at May 31, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA disability benefits records. A foot examination is also required.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of fractures of the fourth and fifth toes of the left foot, bilateral leg disability (lumbar radiculopathy), neck disability, and left hand disability. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder) is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is presumed to have entered service in sound condition and has a current acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis and acquired psychiatric disability are currently rated at 10 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were denied as there is no evidence of additional disability resulting from VA treatment in April and May of 2007.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder was denied, as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.,Service connection for hypertension was also denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an October 2017 VA examination report finding that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-V. The claim is now pending again.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's current psychiatric disability was established in a previous decision, but no new evidence has been provided to support or refute this determination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and he has a compensable disability rating for hearing loss in the left ear. The Veteran's peripheral vascular disease of the legs is rated at 20 percent each, with no higher ratings due to lack of ulceration or massive edema.,Service connection is denied for sleep disorder (presumably insomnia) as secondary to service-connected peripheral vascular disease of the legs. Service connection is also denied for left shoulder pain as not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran withdrew the service connection claim for non-24 sleep circadian rhythm with migraine headaches, photophobia, extreme nausea and vomiting (also claimed as 'sleep disorder-circadian rhythm'). The case is remanded for further development regarding the acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, paranoid type was granted as of May 14, 2009, the day following his discharge from active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia, also claimed as depression, began in service and persists to this day. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The claim for increased rating of left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, knee disorders, and an acquired mental disorder. The decision found that the Veteran's self-inflicted gunshot wound was due to willful misconduct, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current knee or mental health conditions and active service.