Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in service, and his hypertension is considered secondary to diabetes. The Board granted the claim for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners regarding service connection claims. The Veteran's low back, gynecological, and psychiatric disorders are at issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, major depression, and a psychotic disorder, were aggravated during military service beyond their natural progression.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional records and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there was no verified in-service stressor and a valid diagnosis of PTSD could not be established.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development related to verifying the stressor event that allegedly led to the Veteran's PTSD. The claim is currently in a pending state and will be reviewed again after the requested development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure a complete record before deciding the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, has been remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was also denied as there is no medical evidence linking it to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disorder, which was not a psychosis and had existed prior to service, was aggravated during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses. The evidence did not show objective indications of such conditions during service or within one year after discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen her claim for service connection for tinnitus and found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during active military service or continuity of symptomatology. The Board also found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, to include depression, is not related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and ensuring proper notice to the Veteran regarding her scheduled examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination and medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder(s).

The Board finds that the Veteran's skin disorder of the feet is at least as likely as not incurred in service, and his psychiatric disability (including PTSD and anxiety disorder) is secondary to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for both conditions has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current right and left ankle disorders as well as any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for tinea pedis has been withdrawn. The Board finds that service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, depression, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, social phobia, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Service connection is also granted for insomnia, with the condition being secondary to service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of TBI, finding that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of TBI in service. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, remains pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge.