Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, hepatitis C, and psychiatric disorder. The decision also addressed other issues but did not reach a conclusion on those.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depression, is being remanded due to new evidence submitted after the previous denial. The case will be reconsidered without requiring new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder), diabetes mellitus type II, tachycardia, atrioventricular nodal re-entry, and degenerative arthrosis of the lumbar spine. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or any other compensable exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), erectile dysfunction, acid reflux, and a sleep disorder. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD with depression, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a qualifying DSM-IV diagnosis of PTSD and that his current diagnosed PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor. However, there is no evidence of alcohol or drug dependence disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder with psychosis and schizophrenia, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of these claims. The Board has not jurisdiction over these issues and they are therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), a lung condition, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability and remanded the psychiatric disorder claim. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the RO. The issues of service connection for asthma and hearing loss are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of a VA examination and obtaining more recent VA treatment records.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest communication establishing a claim was received on March 13, 2008, and the date entitlement arose was December 17, 2007. The effective date assigned is October 25, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, organic affective syndrome, bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been withdrawn. The remaining issues were either not addressed or denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, service personnel records, and any other relevant documents. The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection claims for PTSD and depression will be reconsidered after all requested information is obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and no evidence linking any diagnosed condition to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and lung cancer, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the PTSD claim and that there was no exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The lung cancer claim was also denied.