Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, epididymitis, and diabetes mellitus type 2 are service-connected due to exposure to noise in service for hearing loss, treatment of epididymitis during active duty, and presumed exposure to herbicides respectively. The psychiatric disorder claim is pending as it relates to PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral leg disorder, a back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was set at July 23, 2012.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from December 2004. The Board has determined that the symptoms warrant a higher rating prior to October 27, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is service-connected, as it was incurred during active service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, headache, cervical spine, and acquired psychiatric disabilities are not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the lower extremities, right carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and a cervical spine disorder. The decision also addressed his claim for PTSD based on fear of hostile military activity due to his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's headaches and acquired psychiatric disorder are found to be related to his active service, with the headaches being attributed to a cervical spine injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for his psychiatric disorder and coronary heart disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn. The TDIU claim remains pending, and a VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his psychiatric disability and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and opinions from the May 2012 VA examiners regarding service connection for DM and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) and hernia were not incurred or aggravated by service, thus denying these claims.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the absence of certain records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new VA medical opinion to address service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that there is evidence of cervical spine arthritis in service, which satisfies the criteria for reconsidering the prior denial of service connection. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder was initially claimed as depression and memory loss but the claim has been broadened to include other psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with effective dates set at November 30, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including PTSD stressor verification and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, at any time since his claim in February 2008. The examiner is asked to provide opinions regarding whether the Veteran's claimed stressors are consistent with service and related to his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not have qualifying military service during a period of war. The Board also found that the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations and opinions to determine whether his current respiratory disability, hearing loss, and other disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders, with particular focus on whether PTSD can be diagnosed and if so, whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for right hearing loss.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is not found to be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.