Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that her current psychiatric disorder is related to sexual harassment experienced during her active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including whether it was incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination to address various issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, currently classified as bipolar disorder, was incurred in active service and is related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors were not verified, and thus did not establish service connection for PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder. The respiratory disorder claim was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, including alleged stressors during basic training. The Veteran's claims file and assertions will be reviewed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not shown to be related to service or his service-connected migraine headaches. The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated as 30 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not engage in combat and his reported stressors do not meet the criteria for service connection due to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Therefore, service connection is denied for PTSD, psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, bronchitis, Ghon's complex, sleep apnea, anemia, and hyperlipidemia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD with hiatal hernia, a pulmonary disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine disorder, a right hip disorder, and a left hip disorder. The Veteran was not granted any disability rating or effective date.

The Veteran's schizophrenia has not resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a rating higher than the current 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder and an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, mood disorder, and depression, were denied. The claim for increased rating for the thoracic spine disability was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (dementia) and bilateral flat feet, as the dementia was not incurred during service and there is no evidence of a current disability related to the flat feet. The Veteran's claim for PTSD with memory loss was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that his psychiatric symptoms are related to a chronic pain syndrome resulting from a post-service workplace injury.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder, as the prior examiner was unable to provide an opinion without resorting to mere speculation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his active service.

New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's testimony alone cannot establish the occurrence of a non-combat stressor. However, there is no credible evidence establishing that the Veteran's claimed stressor - driving a Jeep into the ditch during service - took place.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's statements are considered in light of previous denials based on lack of evidence showing a relationship between current psychiatric disorders and service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder, and a heart condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's notice of disagreement was not timely filed, and thus denied his appeal regarding the November 24, 2004 denial for drug and alcohol abuse and to reopen the claim for a nervous condition (claimed as depression and schizophrenia).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left ankle disorder, as well as his claim for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran did not have a left ankle disability or provide credible evidence to support his claimed residuals from a left ankle sprain.