Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for shortness of breath, PTSD, tinnitus, and gout have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in combat during his active duty service, which supports a finding of service connection for PTSD. Tinnitus was also linked to his military service. However, the claim for gout is pending as an opinion regarding its onset in service or relation to service has not yet been provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge, in accordance with his request. If he withdraws the hearing request or fails to report, further development may be needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Veteran's former employers. The appeal is currently in a pending state.

The Board is remanding the case to ensure compliance with the duty to notify under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and to schedule a hearing before the Board at the Regional Office.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination and obtaining an opinion on the nature and etiology of any currently existing psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for neck disability, stomach condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and psychiatric disability was denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions, with the exception of a personality disorder diagnosed in service, which is not compensable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Hospital San Juan Capistrano and the Orlando VAMC. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are also to be evaluated in determining his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for schizophrenia, paranoid type was denied as the criteria for assignment of an earlier effective date have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to personal trauma, finding that the Veteran did not serve in combat and there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board determined that there is no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service or related to service, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia, which developed during service and contributed to her death by suicide, is service-connected for the cause of her death.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and psychiatric disability to include on a secondary basis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is service-connected. The Board also found that her back disorder and hypertension are related to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include mood disorder (claimed as depression and stress), hypertension (claimed as secondary to depression and stress), and granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with an initial rating of 10 percent. The claim for dyspepsia with irritable bowel syndrome remains in appellate status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 19, 1991, for a 100 percent evaluation for schizophrenia, residual type, component.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hepatitis C, and a herniated disc. The reasons were that there was no evidence of in-service stressors for PTSD, no medical evidence linking current symptoms to service or any diagnosed condition, and no evidence of a herniated disc during service.