The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, is denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the Veteran's current diagnosis of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was more likely related to his childhood abuse rather than his in-service events. Service connection for ischemic heart disease as a result of exposure to herbicide agents is also denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, concluding that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood) was more likely related to his childhood abuse rather than his in-service events. The causal connection between service and the adjustment disorder was therefore not established.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood), Ischemic Heart Disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 28, 2018
- Citation
- 1812397
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1812397.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease was granted a 30% disability rating effective August 31, 2010. The condition manifested as cardiac hypertrophy and a workload of greater than 5.0 but less than 7.0 METs without congestive heart failure or LVEF of 50 percent or less.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, diabetic neuropathy, prostate cancer residuals, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (sciatic), and diabetes mellitus Type 2, combine to result in physical or mental impairment that renders him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance of another person. However, the need for aid and attendance must be determined without considering nonservice-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of April 12, 2022, but no earlier, for service connection of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Right Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease (RLPAD), Left Foot Little and Third Toe Amputation, Left Foot Great Toe Amputation, and Left Lower Extremity Residual Surgical Scars.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need to consider additional evidence not previously considered.
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