Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for a low back disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as gastroesophageal reflux disease and constipation), and psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, anxiety, and depression).

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant records from Social Security Administration (SSA) and VA, as well as service personnel records.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability and an increased rating for the left clavicle disability. The Veteran's claims are now substantiated.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not have tinnitus and the Board finds that there is no evidence to support service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, as well as for partial-complex seizure disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or a link between current symptoms and any claimed events.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen her previously denied claims of hearing loss and tinnitus. The right wrist ganglion cyst was not rated compensable, and no other conditions met the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the examination report and need for additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disability (namely depression) are secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, back disability, and left knee disability were denied as no evidence of a disease or injury related to these conditions was found during his active duty or any other period of service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, right hand tenosynovitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (dysthymic disorder and depression).

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, was not incurred or aggravated in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records, provide a VA examination for all claimed conditions, and determine the nature and etiology of each condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, psychotic disorder not otherwise specified, and posttraumatic stress disorder, is now pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, and therefore denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's current major depressive disorder and related sleep impairment symptoms are due to service in Desert Storm. His bilateral great toe osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus did not have their onset in service or are not attributable to service.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disability, with particular focus on whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran currently has such a condition.,Ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred as a result of exposure to herbicides during military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy or had credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and a depressive disorder was denied as his psychiatric symptoms did not meet the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering the Veteran's claims. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.