Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, specifically PTSD, and for increased ratings for major depressive disorder were denied. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is not etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to secure pertinent records and obtain VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and schizophrenia, were not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the claimed stressors are not supported by credible evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of a left hand scar, reopening of migraine headaches and PTSD service connection claims have all been denied. The acquired psychiatric disability claim has not been addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective April 17, 2006. The Board found that the TDIU award could not be earlier than this date due to the one-year rule.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor event and determine if it occurred. The Veteran contends he witnessed a fellow soldier accidentally kill himself, but there is no evidence of such an incident during his service at Camp Pendleton.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues of service connection for a TMJ disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, as secondary to a TMJ disorder or service-connected hypertension with headaches are now before the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current psychiatric disability related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate statements of reasons or bases and failure to satisfy duty to assist. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has right foot fungus or psychiatric disorder that was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for nose disorder, psychiatric disability, right knee disability, and sinusitis. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of the medical record, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination and translating foreign language documents. The appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes and denied service connection for an antiplatelet condition (swollen legs).

The Board found that there is no evidence of a link between the Veteran's bipolar disorder and his military service, including any use of steroids or amphetamines during service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, ulcer disorder, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorder to include gastritis, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, low back disorder, hypertension, muscle disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder to include peripheral vascular disease and swelling, potassium deficiency, joint disorder, GERD, gallbladder disorder, bladder cancer, respiratory disorder to include asthma, chronic airway obstruction, shortness of breath, chest pain, and allergic disorder, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include dysthymia, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks.,The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder to include gastritis, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, low back disorder, hypertension, muscle disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder to include peripheral vascular disease and swelling, potassium deficiency, joint disorder, GERD, gallbladder disorder, bladder cancer, respiratory disorder to include asthma, chronic airway obstruction, shortness of breath, chest pain, and allergic disorder, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include dysthymia, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include anxiety and depression. However, the evidence does not support granting this reopened claim on the merits. The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability is not related to active service. There is no competent evidence showing that the Veteran currently experiences a skin cancer due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional information from the Veteran regarding her in-service sexual assault and providing an appropriate VA examination to assess any current psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and low back disorder are granted service connection as they are presumed to have been incurred due to his military service, specifically his deployment in Afghanistan. The right elbow, bilateral hands, and bilateral feet disorders do not meet the criteria for service connection.