Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Board found that right hip arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim. The psychiatric disorder issue is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service personnel records. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral knee disorder. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is based on a fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and whether any current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, fibromyalgia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's low back disability has been granted service connection and assigned a 20 percent evaluation. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder (Personality Disorder) and a right shoulder disability have not been established.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for facial scars and psychiatric disability, but denied his claim for service connection for epistaxis. The left jaw disability was rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 9904 due to slight displacement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic PTSD is service-connected as it originated during his active military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Board found that the evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or a link between the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and his military service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board finds by a clear preponderance of the evidence that service connection for a back disability is not warranted. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD includes all acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. However, there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck pain, spasms, and headaches are not related to his service injury in 2001. The claim for residuals of a neck injury was denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability during service or continuity of symptoms post-service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, as well as any other psychiatric conditions. Any outstanding records from Vet Centers, St. Anthony's, SSA, and VA treatment facilities will also be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the possible underlying psychiatric cause for his current headaches and whether any pre-existing psychogenic disorder was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's request for a hearing is noted, and the case is being remanded due to his incarceration. A new hearing will be scheduled by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The Veteran's appeal is currently in process and not decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with a recent Court decision, including consideration of new evidence and possible issuance of an SSOC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with the exception of her claim for a left hip disability. The headaches, stress fractures or shin splints with probable neuropathy, back lipomas, and psychiatric disabilities (depression and PTSD) are all found to be related to service.