Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, these claims remain denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking any current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his attorney, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports this reopening. The Board also determined that there is no credible evidence of a stressor related to service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has determined that further development of the Veteran's claims is needed, including obtaining VA and private medical records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling an appropriate compensation examination and obtaining updated psychiatric treatment reports.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for pes planus, PTSD, and a compensable evaluation for laceration scar over the left eyebrow. The Veteran did not have PTSD, and his claim for service connection for psychiatric disability other than PTSD is addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for additional disability from a VA colonoscopy and treatment, but the Board finds that an examination is needed to determine causality.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia due to new and material evidence. The claims for PTSD, phlebitis/venous insufficiency, brain disorder, right hip scar, and right hip disorder have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to his active duty service and/or manifested within one year of discharge, thus granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is not related to service and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are not shown to have been present in service or for many years thereafter. The Veteran does not currently suffer from a clinically-identifiable posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and the medical evidence does not support service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran presented evidence of a verified stressor, and VA has found sufficient medical evidence to support this finding.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her psychiatric disability and cervical-thoracic spine disability were denied. The claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was not adjudicated as it is related to the cervical-thoracic spine disability.

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service stressor sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and concluded that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder or left knee disability due to service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations. The effective date of his grant of service connection for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, that is causally related to service.

The Veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizophrenia, as a result of service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA outpatient treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees and an acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a chest injury and hyperlipidemia prior to the Board's decision.