Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD and dysthymia/depressive disorder, and for a neck disability and headaches. The claim for increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for a sleep disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a direct connection to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and fatigue, constant headache, muscle aches, and joint pain. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims. The Veteran's currently demonstrated psychiatric disorder is shown as likely due to disease or injury incurred in active service. However, his gastrointestinal disorder is not shown to be related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and notifying the Veteran of his evidentiary options regarding an assault-based PTSD claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's schizophrenia with PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and corroborating the Veteran's reported PTSD stressors.

The Board found that an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating claims have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids, and there was no indication of service connection or exposure basis for the back condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD).

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing anxiety disorder was not aggravated by service and he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for schizophrenia, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran also seeks increased ratings for his cervical spine, bladder disability, and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as a TDIU.

The Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's right inguinal hernia and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) were related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied, while the claim to reopen his low back disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's cause of death, injuries due to blunt impact to the head, was not caused by a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence linking his psychiatric disorders to active duty service and denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The examiner must provide a rationale for any opinion expressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not due to an event or incident of his period of active service. The claim for PTSD and hypertension will be remanded as additional information is needed.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.