Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and outstanding evidence, including service records, private treatment records, and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD and migraine headaches. The Veteran's claims were previously considered, but new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim for a psychiatric disability. Migraine headaches were also found not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD due to lack of verified in-service stressors and insufficient medical nexus.

The Veteran's PTSD was not diagnosed in accordance with DSM-IV criteria, and the Board finds that he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.,His acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD and an adjustment disorder with anxiety, including depression, is not related to service. The psychosis did not manifest itself within one year of service.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder pain is caused by a strain and his arthritis in either shoulder did not manifest itself within one year of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service, including any in-service incidents or exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right leg/knee injury was denied, but he is now granted service connection for a psychiatric disability. His migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent disabling.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertensive heart disease and hypertension, as well as his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are found to be the result of an in-service stressor. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his psychiatric disability. The claim will be further developed before a final decision is made.

The Board found that an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service nor may service connection be presumed for psychosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the effective date set at September 30, 2002. The Veteran was awarded a 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability as of October 31, 2006. He also received TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD (to include anxiety and depression), were denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The acquired psychiatric disorder was not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, were granted service connection based on reopening of the claim with new evidence. Service connection for bilateral cataracts is pending as it was not addressed in this decision. The rating for bilateral hearing loss remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorder and the current severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, authorization forms for SSA records, and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to issues with obtaining SSA records and VA examinations, as well as other procedural matters.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and leg/ankle injuries did not manifest within one year of service, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show they existed prior to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including an anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, are found to be caused by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders of depression and schizophrenia were not incurred during active service, nor are they caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The claims for service connection have been denied.