Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Board denied reopening of the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and service connection for a left knee disorder and cervical spine disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by new and material evidence, and his conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced on whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors, and concludes that he does.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from VA facilities, private medical providers, and SSA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for increased ratings for his nasal fractures require additional development. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD based on fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, and whether any diagnosed PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor. Additionally, an updated VA compensation examination is required to assess the current degree of disability due to his nasal fractures.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development due to a request for a hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical opinions regarding his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment given his service-connected conditions. The current examinations are inadequate as they do not address whether the Veteran's schizophrenia, hemorrhoids, and residuals of infectious hepatitis render him unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder did not have its onset during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and verification of certain events.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, thyroid disorder, and prostate cancer were denied. The claim for diabetes mellitus was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including seeking inpatient treatment records from Long Beach Naval Hospital and his personnel file.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and other issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Anxiety Disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for plantar calluses (claimed as plantar warts) is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and bipolar disorder, remains pending.

The Board has determined that further development is required to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder and his service, including confirmed combat exposure. The gastrointestinal disability claim will be deferred until this determination is made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran is also advised that failure to appear for an examination could result in denial of his claim.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional service records and verify his claimed periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The Board will then consider the remaining issues for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, claimed as a nervous disorder, has been denied. The evidence does not support the presence of such a condition.