Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board found that the submitted evidence since the July 2009 final denial is essentially cumulative of the evidence previously of record with regard to the basis for the prior denial, and thus did not meet the criteria for reopening any of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, hypertension, intestinal problems, and anemia at the May 2017 Board hearing.,With resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for entitlement to service connection for a neck disorder have been met.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is REMANDED. The Veteran needs to provide records from SSA, obtain SPRs/STRs, and undergo VA examinations for his lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders, and heart disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying stressor allegations. A psychiatric examination is also required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of proper VCAA notice regarding her PTSD claim based on in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, bipolar disorder, is related to service and granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension, left leg disability, sleep apnea, and headaches are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diverticulitis, asthma, COPD, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, stroke, bowel cancer, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, hernia, sleep apnea, and nerve damage. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the initial rating assigned for cholecystectomy residuals and the denials of service connection for allergic rhinitis, residuals of fractured ribs, residuals of right eye trauma, bilateral hearing loss, and a skin disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying the appellant's period of active service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right side disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disorder, right knee disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (diagnosed depression), and a sleep disorder. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as a mood disorder) is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected asthma, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be related to his service-connected back disability. The right knee and left knee disorders are not considered service connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to delays in contacting the Veteran and scheduling a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia is service-connected, and therefore his claim for medical care under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is service-connected due to its pre-existing nature and aggravation during service. The heart disorder claim was remanded, and the psychiatric disorder claim does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral eye condition is a congenital defect and does not warrant service connection. For his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection as no competent medical opinion supports a link between any current psychiatric condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected due to a lack of medical nexus between his current condition and his period of active duty.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to personal trauma experienced during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric and orthopedic examination.

The Board found no current joint and bone disability, denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed joint and bone disorder. The Board also denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and gastrointestinal disorder. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to consider all evidence, including a recent VA examination report. The TDIU claim is also deferred until these issues can be addressed.