Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and hypertension. The evidence is sufficient to establish that these conditions are related to service.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Depression, Anxiety) and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have an in-service event, injury or disease to which his spine arthritis and L1 compression fracture residuals may be related. As a result, service connection for back disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for Gulf War Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Sleep Apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or connection to service.

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

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disorder, to include as secondary to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's initial rating for left shoulder impingement syndrome remains at 10 percent, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is denied.,No new evidence of a current diagnosis or causal link to service was provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and he was assigned a combined rating of 20 percent effective July 25, 2007. An additional attorney fee of $909.60 is awarded based on the 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include adjustment disorder.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder in service or currently, and thus, the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied. For his knee disabilities, the Board finds that the June 2011 VA examination report provides sufficient information to determine that a higher evaluation than 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's schizophrenia did not manifest during service and could not be presumed due to a period of active duty. The claim was denied as there was no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressor involving the death of a young girl in his convoy. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD, but there is no verified incident that supports this diagnosis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sexual impotency, but remanded the remaining claims due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is not shown to have current diagnoses or symptoms related to dyspepsia, cervical condition, IBS, lower back condition, urinary incontinence, or liver condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset during service. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, but with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's pneumonia treatment at the Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska from December 31, 2009 to January 4, 2010 is covered by VA as it met all criteria for emergency treatment and was not feasibly available at other VA facilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, depression, and PTSD.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from October 15, 2010 to October 18, 2010 at a non-VA hospital were approved as the treatment was for an emergency condition and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches were denied. The preponderance of the competent and credible evidence is against a finding that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's lung disorder claim was denied, while his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claim was granted. The decision is mixed as one issue was granted and the other was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the Winston-Salem RO. The issues of service connection and disability ratings remain on hold until further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders and musculoskeletal disabilities, are pending.