Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, related to his active service.

The Board found that there was not clear, credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressor and concluded that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD with depression, could not be established. The issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss from June 30, 2008 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and opinions from VA examiners regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions. Other claims of service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss increased in severity during his second period of active service, and the Board has granted service connection by way of aggravation.

The Veteran was found to meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person from his original date of claim, October 6, 2006.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability and right hip disability. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim of residuals of brain injury (PTSD). Additionally, the Board determined that there was no causal relationship between any of the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for scoliosis (claimed as back injury) and granted it. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a rating in excess of 20 percent for hemorrhoids, and a compensable rating for psoriasis are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of acquired psychiatric disorder, shoulder disability, neck disability, low back disability, and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence. The Veteran did not have any relevant symptoms or diagnoses during service, and there is no competent medical opinion linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran does not have a credible diagnosis of PTSD, and the record does not otherwise credibly show that a psychiatric disorder is etiologically related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim for the acquired psychiatric disorder was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence corroborating his claimed in-service stressors, while the skin disorder claim is pending as it relates to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination. The issues of service connection for drug addition and hepatitis C liver condition are being held in abeyance due to their interrelation with the issue of acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental opinion regarding whether the appellant's pre-existing schizophrenia was aggravated by his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service treatment records, VA treatment records, and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran is also required to provide information about any other health care providers who have provided treatment for her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's specific phobia (situational type) is related to his service and the claim for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing medical records and conduct a VA examination. The issues include service connection for various conditions, including chronic pain syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder, history of paranoid schizophrenia has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood. The Board finds that the disability picture more nearly approximates a 70 percent rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.