Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's schizophrenia and its relationship to service. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his current acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder not otherwise specified, is related to his service. Service connection for this condition has been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development, including obtaining court-martial records from 1939 to 1976 and on and after 1976. The case will be readjudicated following these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy, atherosclerotic aorta by X-ray, erectile dysfunction, and kidney/liver disorders have been denied. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service stressor. The Veteran has been diagnosed with a personality disorder NOS and the Board found that his symptoms are not related to military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is as likely as not related to his active service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has expanded the claim to include service connection for any psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and a remand is needed to consider both issues. The Veteran's stressors are not verified, but his fear of hostile military activity may be considered in determining whether he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder and psychiatric condition (claimed as PTSD) are not shown to be related to service, resulting in a denial of both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, but he does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a gastrointestinal disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and Vet Center records and providing a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder is related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims were denied due to a lack of evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed before deciding on the merits.

The Board has been notified of the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal and therefore, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for reopening his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's claims and the need to clarify whether the claimed stressors occurred during service.

The Board has ordered the claims remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. P.R.D., VA treatment records, and verifying the Veteran's Reserve service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sacrum strain disability, thoracic strain disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder), and seizure disorder. The evidence submitted since the last final denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.