Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left leg cellulitis, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and his other claims were based on new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his request for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues of service connection for various conditions remain pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, resulting in a denial of the petition to reopen.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stressor is not credible or verifiable, and thus service connection for PTSD cannot be granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD will be remanded to obtain a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and left shoulder disability was denied as there is no current evidence of the presence of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted, with a noncompensable evaluation assigned for bilateral pes planus as of August 3, 2009.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's personality disorder is not recognized as a disability for which compensation benefits may be awarded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depression with psychotic features and schizoaffective disorder, clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his second period of active duty service and was not aggravated therein. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran has PTSD and whether any psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and finds that new evidence submitted by the Veteran supports a finding that multiple sclerosis was first manifested within the presumptive period. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the current condition to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, and stroke. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's personality disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric, cognitive, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for a video conference hearing due to the Veteran's absence from his scheduled hearing. The issues are related to reopening claims of service connection for psychiatric disorders, colitis/Crohn's disease, and spondylolisthesis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be service-connected as it is consistent with his combat service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, will require further examination and consideration of the new regulations regarding fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as there is evidence of a current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's sleep apnea did not have its onset in active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against his claim for entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing due to his failure to report for an earlier scheduled hearing and the undeliverable address issue. The claims of service connection for psychiatric disabilities and for a low back disability are currently in a status of 'unknown' as they do not pertain to service connection issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded it to allow further development, including consideration of new evidence and regulations.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of either condition at the time of his appeal, nor was there any credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.