Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) have been denied. The evidence received since previous decisions does not provide a basis to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, federal disability retirement records, and allowing the Veteran an opportunity to provide information regarding his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has directed the VA to schedule the Veteran for additional examinations and remand his claims due to lack of proper notification of scheduled examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied all claims for service connection, finding that the appellant's claimed conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss, right eye disorder, or acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder and psychiatric disorder are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted a non-compensable (10%) evaluation for the Veteran's right thumb disability, finding that his symptoms are manifested by pain and limited range of motion without other significant impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying claimed stressors, and scheduling examinations to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and right knee condition are related to service.

The Veteran's headaches are presumed to have been incurred in service. His bilateral knee disorders, cervical spine disorder and right leg sciatica are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records. The issues include tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and PTSD).

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's claims are currently in a state where additional evidence is needed from Vet Centers and medical opinions are required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing. The issues are related to the effective date and compensation rates for service connection of schizophrenia.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if any psychiatric disorder or residuals of a coma, including blackouts, memory loss, and inability to concentrate, are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of these conditions which are related to his military service. For the bilateral feet condition, a new VA examination is needed as the previous one did not address the Veteran's assertions regarding the origin of his bone spurs during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis C and there is no evidence linking his claimed conditions to active military service. The Veteran's PTSD may be related to in-service assault, but further examination is needed to determine if it is related to combat support operations.

The VA examiner concluded there is no evidence indicating the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, thus denying service connection for such a condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including requesting an addendum opinion from the VA psychiatrist and clarifying the VA orthopaedic examination report. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected toe injuries are pending.