Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, is found to be related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability attributable to active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for an infection of the right ear. The Board also dismissed the remaining claims as there is no evidence showing a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury, and a causal relationship between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied due to failure to report for a VA examination, while his claim of new and material evidence is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and found that the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus is related to his active military service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as it was not fully addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for dysfunctional uterine bleeding and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The VA examiners are asked to provide a rationale for their opinions regarding the onset of the Veteran's conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The Veteran has variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD, the symptoms of which are related to his active service, but already considered part of his service-connected PTSD and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of a left wrist disability has been reopened. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains on the merits, with some issues granted and others not.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric condition, primarily claimed as secondary to his service-connected asbestosis. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed in conjunction with this claim to address the issues of causation and aggravation.

The Board denied service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, finding that the appellant's period of active service from April 15, 1992 to October 1, 1995 was under dishonorable conditions and that his psychiatric disability did not have its onset during this period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and confirming the Veteran's address. The appeal will be considered after these actions are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are denied as there is no competent evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported dates of onset of his migraine headaches and psychiatric symptoms, as well as conflicting opinions from VA examiners.

The Board found that there is no diagnosed condition of PTSD during the appeal period and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and ensuring that all reasonable efforts are made to accommodate the Veteran's incarcerated status.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to address his claims. The issues remaining for adjudication are limited to those listed on the Title Page.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bladder cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is based on presumed exposure to herbicides, but there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or to any specific exposure.