Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed low back disorder, right thigh disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and residuals of a back injury was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other diagnosed psychiatric condition, and there is no credible evidence supporting his claimed stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current diagnosed conditions did not manifest in service or are otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a violation of the Veteran's due process rights by not providing him with copies of requested documents and an opportunity to respond to the January 2008 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, as a result of service. His claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a personality disorder. However, the claim for PTSD is denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is related to his service-connected diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a left elbow disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a pilonidal cyst. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a psychiatric disability affecting a gastrointestinal disorder is being remanded due to inadequate VA medical examinations. The case will be readjudicated after additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic back disability and a chronic psychiatric disability, to include PTSD.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder. The case is being remanded to conduct further development and determine if a current acquired psychiatric disability exists and whether it is related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for alcohol dependence as it was a result of the Veteran's own willful misconduct. The claim for service connection for all other psychiatric disabilities (including paranoid schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, adjustment disorder, borderline personality disorder, and anxiety) was also denied on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. However, a VA examiner opined that it is at least as likely as not that the adjustment disorder was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The decision remains pending due to further clarification needed from the VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and obtaining a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression. However, the claim is denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD due to lack of verified in-service stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for pingueculae of the bilateral eyes, a psychiatric disorder (to include MDD), and insomnia as they are found to be related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia was granted with an effective date of September 29, 1986. He also received special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance from March 7, 2005, and additional dependency allowance for his ex-spouse.

The Veteran's hypertension and psychiatric disorder claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for medical examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, gynecological disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hyperthyroidism are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a depressive disorder. The diagnosis of PTSD is based on the positive PTSD screen in 2004 and formal diagnosis in 2007.