Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board denied the claims for reopening of service connection for right and left knee disorders, cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, radiculopathy of upper extremities, neuropathy of lower extremities, and psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and there is no evidence linking such conditions to service. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to inaccurate self-reporting and malingering.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed right leg disability other than sciatic neuritis, and her psychiatric disorder is not related to service-connected disabilities. Therefore, both claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD and his other diagnosed psychiatric disabilities are not shown to be etiologically related to service. The claims for right knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and bilateral leg cramps were withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing before the Board. Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and a mood disorder), right lower extremity disability, left lower extremity disability, low back disability, right knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and bilateral leg cramps.

The Board has granted service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and assigned an initial 70 percent rating, effective August 14, 2011. The Veteran's other claims were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right ankle disorder, a bilateral foot disorder, and a back disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a cervical spine disorder, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen his claims. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not related to his in-service complaints of neck pain and spasms.

The Board denied service connection for depression as secondary to service-connected chronic hepatitis, finding that the evidence did not support this claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for additional evidence. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a brain concussion are rated at 40 percent, effective March 7, 2007. The Veteran also has tinnitus which is separately rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia, finding that the earliest effective date is August 9, 2004.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete information and need for further examination regarding his claimed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and stomach disorder, including gastritis and GERD. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new eye and psychiatric examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his bilateral eye disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA mental disorders examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish current lung disabilities or a nexus to service, and there was no objective medical evidence supporting these claims.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying a claimed stressor. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand has been reopened and granted. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current disability, as indicated by medical records showing carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board also found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his period of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied his claim. The Board also found insufficient evidence to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, but noted that it must be remanded for further examination.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran has requested such a hearing and is willing to appear in person.

The Veteran's throat disorder was found to be due to a self-limited bout of tonsillitis in service, which is not considered a current disability. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for his stomach disorder and the claim remains pending.