Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for schizophrenia. Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to active service, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for mechanical low back strain is granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety. The evidence does not establish a diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental health condition during service or within one year post-service discharge.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service treatment records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to initial compensable rating for pharyngitis is also addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is not causally or etiologically related to his service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, arthritis of the right knee, and sleep apnea were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and is dismissing the diabetes claim due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. No jurisdiction remains for the Board to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acid reflux must be remanded due to additional development being required. The lung condition claim is reopened but remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims. The claim for service connection for a nervous condition (psychiatric disorder) was reopened but ultimately denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to inconsistencies in her reported history and inconsistent behaviors related to her symptoms of trauma. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining records of post-service treatment and providing the Veteran with a new VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and for VA examinations. The issues of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined and will be deferred until the development is completed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder and depression. The Veteran's respiratory disorder is also found to be related to his military service. However, the claim for tinnitus remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The issues of service connection for a low back disorder, skin disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been dismissed as moot due to the grant of these conditions in a September 2012 rating decision.,Service connection has been granted for lumbar strain and lumbar spondylosis, onychomycosis, skin graft harvest right thigh to left mid shin non healing wound, diabetic dermopathy, folliculitis, and a mood disorder. The effective dates are specified in the September 2012 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his alcohol use.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA clinical psychologist or psychiatrist regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder.