Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS or anxiety disorder NOS, was not incurred as a result of service. The RO denied service connection for flat feet, right knee, and left knee disabilities in 2007, but new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims. The Veteran's tinnitus is already assigned the highest schedular rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. Multiple claims are on hold and will be addressed at the hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his complete service personnel file and records of any mental health treatment or discipline in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including dysthymic disorder with alcohol dependence, existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is likely to have had its onset during his period of active duty service.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a VA examination to determine the extent of urinary incontinence due to prostate cancer and whether PTSD is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such. His claims for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional notice and development regarding his claim based on a personal assault in service.

The Veteran's death is caused by morphine toxicity, which was prescribed for his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board finds that the cause of death is related to a service-connected condition and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether any diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to service. The examiner should provide opinions as to whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the psychiatric disability pre-existed entrance into service (for both the 1968 and 1991 enlistments/activations), AND if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the disease did not increase in severity during service beyond the natural progression of the disease.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the RO, as requested by the Veteran. The appeal is not about service connection and thus does not involve any conditions or exposure basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are related to her in-service miscarriage. However, there is no evidence of a current left ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, thus denying service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's discharge from service was due to a service-connected disability (paranoid schizophrenia with major depression and anxiety disorder), meeting the criteria for basic eligibility for VA home loan benefits.

The Board has determined that there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressful event which qualifies as a PTSD stressor, and the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD have not been linked to service. As such, the claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. His coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus are both denied initial higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA Vocational Rehabilitation records and determining if he was awarded hazardous duty pay during his service in Saudi Arabia. A psychiatric examination will also be scheduled.