Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent, while his radiculopathy of the lower extremities received separate 10 percent ratings.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including a review of his in-service personal assault and other sources of evidence.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD, asthma, right knee disability, left knee disability, or back disability. The appellant's current psychiatric condition is diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder and preexisted his period of ACDUTRA service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling error for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The Veteran's current address needs to be determined and he will be notified of his scheduled hearing.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The underlying claims, including those regarding increased ratings and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, are addressed further in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied due to lack of evidence of in-service Vietnam service. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received, but denied the claim on the merits as the stressor did not meet the criteria for a fear of hostile military or terrorist activity under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3). Service connection for schizophrenia was granted based on direct service connection. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 30 percent rating for pes planus is denied as it was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to his August 2011 claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to missing VA treatment records and the need to consider new evidence.

The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of stressors and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for residuals of an insect bite, residuals of a tapeworm infection, and low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore cannot establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of current disability or in-service incurrence/aggravation.

The Board found that the character of discharge from the Veteran's period of service is a bar to VA benefits and denied claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from St. James Hospital in Louisiana related to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current residuals of a head injury and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disability including PTSD due to incomplete evidence. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The case is remanded for further development and examination regarding service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and thus his claims are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or any nexus to service.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability that is attributable to his military service.