Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The claim is granted as her current disabilities are found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise whether the Veteran suffers from PTSD related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disorder that began during service or is related to any in-service event, and denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds no evidence of a current respiratory disorder or eye disability related to service. The Veteran's gastrointestinal and psychiatric conditions are found to be secondary to his spine disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder), and chest pain. The decision found that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest during service or were caused by any illness or event during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including personality disorder, major depression, and schizophrenia. The Veteran provided new evidence that supports reopening his claim.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's service dates and obtain her medical records. The issues of service connection for a bilateral lower extremity disability, including residuals of bilateral shin splints and stress fractures; an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression; and a bilateral shoulder disability are currently in remand status.

The Veteran's heart and psychiatric disabilities are being reviewed for possible service connection as secondary to his service-connected right inguinal hernia. The bilateral leg disability, left inguinal hernia, and increased rating for the right inguinal hernia are also under review.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying the Veteran's claimed stressors. The Veteran will also need to provide details about his exposure to ionizing radiation and asbestos in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service. The self-inflicted gunshot wound sustained in October 1980 was not incurred in the line of duty.

The Veteran's service connection claim for IBS has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's IBS, also claimed as gastritis, has persisted for six months or more and is manifested by symptoms severe enough to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from various sources and providing a VA examination to determine if the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's anxiety disorder is service-connected, and her varicose veins are not. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including GAD and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service. The claim for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for hypertension remain pending.

The case is being remanded for additional VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD, and COPD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including those from the Wyoming Army National Guard regarding ACDUTRA dates. The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia and depression is also being considered as new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's original claim for PTSD was denied in January 2009. New and material evidence was received within one year of the denial, allowing it to be reconsidered. The case is now remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and skin disability. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records, confirming in-service stressors, and scheduling VA examinations.