Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.,Specifically, the Veteran needs to provide information about his in-service treatment for a head injury from a motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address his claims.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal in September 2013.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right foot disorder (claimed as arthritis of the right great toe), and hypertension. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA psychiatric examination and additional medical records. The claim will be reconsidered after these are obtained.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is likely the result of his military service and has been granted.

The Veteran claims service connection for a psychiatric impairment, which he alleges is due to involuntary exposure to LSD during active duty. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining records from Fort Carson and SSA records, as well as arranging for the Veteran to undergo VA examination.

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, leg disability, or left foot disability that is service-connected.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted due to a diagnosed condition linked to the in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying any claimed in-service stressors. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature of any current psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and peripheral neuropathy, but denied both claims as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and an addendum medical opinion to consider whether the Veteran meets the criteria for any additional psychiatric diagnosis, including PTSD, in accordance with DSM-IV criteria. The claim will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding no evidence of a combat-related incident sufficient to support the diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and cardiovascular disorder due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his service records and medical evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder(s) is granted as service connected. The Board finds that the Veteran has variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders that are as likely as not related to his active military service, including PTSD and mood disorder. For the lumbar spine disability with left lower extremity radiculopathy, the Board finds that it was incurred in service. Service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service events were inconsistent and lacked credibility, and there was no nexus between any present psychiatric disorder and his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids warrant a noncompensable evaluation prior to August 13, 2012 and a 10 percent evaluation from that date forward.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, and the decision now awards attorney fees at a rate of 20% from past-due benefits in the amount of $48,413.97.