Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders did not manifest during service and were not aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is not established as service-connected due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer or erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, back, neck, left lower extremity sciatica, and acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to his period of service or any aspect thereof, including a service-connected disability. As such, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's testimony provided more specific information regarding his experiences in Vietnam, which is necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The anosmia is found to be proximately due to service-connected allergic rhinitis. Bilateral hearing loss and otitis media are denied as not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. Service connection for a disorder manifested by loss of mobility is also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including a nervous disorder and anxiety disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The evidence did not demonstrate any psychosis manifested to a compensable degree within one year following separation from service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), based on new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board also considered the issue of whether she had an acquired psychiatric disorder, but did not find any new evidence to reopen her previous claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including clarification of the basis for his claims and consideration of new evidence. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of these actions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for schizophrenia, muscle and joint pain (generalized arthralgias), sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, and headaches due to their complexity and need for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD, but further development is needed to determine whether the Veteran meets the criteria for this disorder and if it is related to his military service. The claim for service connection for schizophrenia remains pending.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected seizure disorder, has been granted service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability. The claim for TDIU is considered part of the pending low back claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability and substance abuse were not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred during service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to his history of substance abuse prior to and after military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and any other supported by the record, is being remanded due to need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain service records and medical records, as well as arrange for a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for hepatitis disability and acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he currently has any psychiatric disorders (including PTSD) that are related to service or his gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The Board is expanding the Veteran's claim to include all psychiatric disorders and has ordered a VA examination to determine if his current mental health conditions, including PTSD, are related to an assault during service.