Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the evidence does not establish an in-service event, injury, or disease relating to the Veteran's current right ankle disability. The preponderance of the evidence fails to establish an etiological relationship between the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and her active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (depressive disorder and anxiety), thyroid disability, and diabetes mellitus are remanded for further development.,PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (depressive disorder and anxiety) are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology. The claims for thyroid disability and diabetes mellitus are also being remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology, with consideration of the Veteran's reported exposure to ionizing radiation during service.,PTSD is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology due to possible military sexual trauma. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (depressive disorder and anxiety) is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The thyroid disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to the Veteran's service, including her reported exposure to ionizing radiation during service. The claim for diabetes mellitus is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist. The examiner will determine if PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity during service and whether any other acquired psychiatric disorder is related to an injury or disease in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that the evidence submitted was not new and material.

The Board has granted service connection for Bell's Palsy and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's paranoid schizophrenia preexisted his military service and did not become more severe during service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for psychiatric disabilities and a back disability. The Veteran's claim is pending further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that the new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran does not have a current hair loss disorder, and the Board finds that she does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of traumatic brain injury, to include headaches and amnesia, are service-connected. The psychiatric disabilities (including depression, schizophrenia NOS, and PTSD) are not service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of Other Specified Trauma and Stressor Related Disorder is related to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of service dates and VA examinations to determine if any current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including opinions regarding whether his psychiatric disorder and back disability are caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claims of in-service personal assault or PTSD due to service. The VA examiners concluded that his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and a personality disorder, were not related to service.

The Veteran was granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD effective January 7, 2008. The Board also granted TDIU benefits since January 14, 2003 and denied the remaining claims.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a low back disability or PTSD incurred in service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The status of the other claims (GERD, athlete's foot, and lumbar spine disorder) is unknown.