Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was neither incurred in nor aggravated by active service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been received. However, the claims for bilateral shoulder and elbow disabilities have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) was incurred in active service due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board affirmed the RO's decision to deny the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral ankle disabilities were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims. Service connection for ulcers and an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and PTSD. The Veteran was also found not to meet the threshold eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, right ankle injury, gastrointestinal condition, non-union of the scaphoid (right wrist), right hand and finger condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and sleep apnea were all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence received since the June 2001 rating decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of the claims and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating any of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee disability were denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions, thus denying the claims.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA examinations and medical records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, dyssomnia, and a mood disorder) are being remanded.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including providing the Veteran with proper notice and obtaining medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media. The decision also addressed other issues such as gastritis, a right thumb injury, folliculitis barbae, seizure disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. No new evidence was found to reopen the claim for hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the relationship between his current acquired psychiatric disorder and left knee disability with service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychological disorders, including whether any diagnosed condition is related to his military service. The Veteran must be evaluated for PTSD due to combat-related stressors or stressors relating to accusations and determinations regarding his sexual orientation.

The Board finds that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and ensuring proper consideration of his service connection for hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her VA and SSA records, including those related to her acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia) and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD and there is no competent medical evidence linking an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD to his service. For the period prior to May 13, 2009, the Veteran's right knee disability was evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. His claims for higher ratings and service connection remain pending.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, a thoracic spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, left leg disorder, left ankle disorder, and head injury. The appeals were not related to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, or Gulf War. No new evidence was presented that would reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's chronic back cysts and psychiatric disabilities, including GAD, depression, and PTSD, are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's HCD, ED, and BPH are also granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.