Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including verification of service in Iraq and a VA psychiatric examination using DSM-V criteria. The issue on appeal is broadened to include any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as stress and secondary to service connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus, is now moot.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD. The examiner concluded that his symptoms are better attributed to an antisocial personality disorder rather than PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded.

Regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, the November 1996 and February 1998 rating decisions denied her claim as there was no evidence showing she had a current psychiatric disability. The May 2007 decision also denied her claim based on lack of new and material evidence.,Regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for gastroenteritis, the November 1996 decision denied it due to lack of evidence showing a chronic gastrointestinal disorder distinct from her migraines. The May 2007 decision again denied the claim as there was no new and material evidence provided.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected chronic schizophrenia has been denied as he is not shown to be in need of such assistance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depression (PTSD), has been granted. The effective date of the grant is not specified.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and a gastrointestinal or gastroesophageal disability are reopened. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of his hearing preference and subsequent scheduling. The issues include rating adjustment, service connection claims, and reopening of previous claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examinations and lack of opinions on certain issues. The Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his claim seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, psychiatric disorder, and right second toe/foot disability. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of this case.

The Veteran's sleep disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems and arranging for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss and issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding the issues of reopening his enlarged prostate claim and service connection for PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, hiatal hernia, residuals of a TBI, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not engage in combat and his claimed stressors have not been objectively verified. The acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including shell fragment wounds and psychiatric disorders, are granted. The Board finds that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy and his reported injuries during service are credible.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for hearing loss were denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.