Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered, including obtaining SSA records and VA/VA examinations.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, and thus service connection for PTSD was denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD also failed due to lack of a diagnosed condition related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by active service, and the claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected scabies, primary insomnia, and tension headaches have been granted effective from July 3, 1997. The initial ratings for these conditions are assigned.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, concluding that his symptoms are related to substance abuse during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a lung or respiratory condition. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral hip disability, diverticulitis, or an acquired psychiatric disorder that is etiologically related to his active duty service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or chronic symptoms in service that would support the grant of service connection.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder. The Board also found that the Veteran's right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for emergency services from November 11, 2010 to November 17, 2010 at Archbold Memorial Hospital are granted due to the nature of his psychiatric condition and the need for continued monitoring.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum to the VA examination report. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for low back arthritis as being proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The issues of service connection for a mental disorder (secondary to service-connected knee disabilities) and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board has ordered a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the current and service connection status of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim will be remanded again until this examination is completed.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and verifying stressors. The issues of service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, and pulmonary embolism with blood clots in the legs are all part of this appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a heart disorder, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and found that the appellant's anxiety disorder is related to her in-service assault. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD was not addressed as it encompasses both PTSD and anxiety.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD as per DSM-IV, and thus service connection is denied. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service noise exposure.