Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no credible evidence of a head injury or neck injury during his active duty. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in service.,There is also no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, acid reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or seizure disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and determined that his acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, was not incurred in service or related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral leg disability, bilateral knee disability, and back disability due to a lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as dysthymic disorder and general anxiety disorder, is related to his period of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease (CAD), S/P CABG, and S/P MI, are shown as of the date of his claim to be of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment. Therefore, TDIU was granted from December 30, 2004 until July 7, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was not shown in service or until several years after service and has not been shown to be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, pelvic injury, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was granted. The issue of secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies, including not issuing a statement of the case on the issue of character of discharge. The issues related to service connection and total disability rating are inextricably intertwined with this matter.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a bipolar disorder, was incurred during his military service. As such, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as bipolar disorder) is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection for PTSD. However, the VA examiner concluded that the Veteran may have an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and is less likely as not caused by or related to his reported Vietnam stressor. The issue of service connection for this condition remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and clarifying whether there is any pertinent SSA disability benefits claim. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability will be reviewed to determine if it was caused or permanently aggravated during service.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service and concluded that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.,There was also insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's hepatitis C to any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. The Veteran's current address must be determined and provided notice of the VA examination at that address.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a bilateral knee disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have a verified non-combat stressor in service on which to base a diagnosis of PTSD. Osteoarthritis of the knees was also found not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no diagnosis of PTSD that conforms with the DSM-IV and no other diagnosed chronic disability related to military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made.