Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore cannot establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The acquired psychiatric disorders, including polysubstance abuse and unspecified depressive disorder, are found to be less likely related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain VA treatment records prior to April 2007, and the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and psychotic disorder. The evidence received since the July 2007 rating decision includes a diagnosis of psychotic disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) and schizophrenia by history.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The right arm condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's asthma. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his left knee, lumbar spine, and psychiatric disorders. The right knee rating issue will also be addressed.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The RO denied service connection based on lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. Therefore, service connection for such conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, entitlement to service connection for a back disability, entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, has been reopened. The VA examiners have provided opinions linking the current diagnoses to his military service, specifically his combat experiences in Vietnam. Service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder is reopened, but the underlying claim remains denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain updated treatment records and to schedule him for VA examinations to determine the nature of his current psychiatric, hearing loss, and lung conditions. The Board will also seek clarification on whether service connection is sought for any other conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and is now considering whether new evidence supports granting this claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD or major depressive disorder linked to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's kidney disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Mendota Mental Health Institute and SSA. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder. The Veteran's account of in-service stressors and symptomatology is credible and highly probative. Service connection is granted based on the presumption of soundness.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, is now pending.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for clarification on whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to active service or pre-service personality disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder.