Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is linked to in-service stressors of spousal abuse and sexual harassment. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise and granted service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, and service connection for a disability due to radiation exposure. As such, the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder were denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a current diagnosis or etiology. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to the absence of a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis with asthma and assigned a 30 percent rating. Service connection for hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, PTSD, and residuals of anti-malarial treatment are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including neck injury, heat exposure, thoracolumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, skin condition, tinnitus, PTSD, gastrointestinal disorder, erectile dysfunction, fibromyalgia, and sleep disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and stressor verification. The issue remains pending as the Veteran has not provided sufficient information to identify claimed stressors.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder or dysthymia, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and could not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board also determined that it was not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudicative action due to incomplete records regarding the appellant's commitment by the Superior Court in November 2000, including a complete copy of the transcript of Dr. Peter Zeman's testimony.

The Veteran's claim for an initial higher rating for PTSD is withdrawn. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is set at September 27, 2001.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), headaches (residuals of head injury), low back disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a heart disorder that is causally related to service. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, remains pending as additional evidence and examination are needed.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, migraine headaches, and seborrheic dermatitis have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the claimed conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran needs to undergo a VA examination and provide additional pertinent evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including whether any acquired psychiatric disorder was aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, that is related to his military service. He also does not have diagnosed residuals of cold weather injuries to the hands or feet.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability, including whether it was caused or aggravated by service. The Veteran's in-service treatment for depression may be relevant.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder was not manifested during service or until many years after his discharge and has not been linked by competent medical evidence to his period of active service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for schizophrenia and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration.