Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and he is now entitled to a VA examination to determine if his current anxiety diagnosis is related to military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disability and shoulder disability, but denied his claim for left lower extremity disability. The rating for his acquired psychiatric disability was increased to 50 percent effective February 2004. However, the Court vacated the entire May 2009 decision, including the rating determination.

The Board found that there was no evidence of a psychiatric disability in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is not related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The Veteran's other issues regarding increased ratings and service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has reviewed the Veteran's claims and determined that new evidence received since the prior denial does not establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions. The evidence is insufficient to support a finding of an undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pain in the major joints, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a heart condition as secondary to his service-connected back disability. The increased rating claim for myofascial back pain syndrome was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unavailability of certain records and insufficient notice.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for proper development, including issuance of a statement of the case on the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and scheduling a hearing if possible.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including verification of a stressor related to enemy fire during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is now before the RO.

The Board found that the evidence does not relate an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, to the Veteran's time in service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, both secondary to his service-connected residuals of fracture of the ninth left rib.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran currently has residuals of a head injury, headaches, tinnitus, or a psychiatric disorder. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, myofascial pain syndrome, and low back disorder were not shown to be related to service or any service-connected disability. The claim for a psychiatric disorder is denied as secondary service connection is not applicable since the Veteran does not have a current service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates were denied as the earliest date of entitlement is March 3, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders were not related to service, as there was no chronic in-service symptoms or a showing of continuity of symptoms since separation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his low back, right knee, bilateral hip, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's hearing loss and back disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of aggravation during service, and the earliest post-service evidence of hearing loss was over 40 years after discharge.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis, left calcaneal spurs, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD are not supported by the evidence. The competent medical evidence does not show a link between these conditions and active service.