Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD with depression, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a qualifying DSM-IV diagnosis of PTSD and that his current diagnosed PTSD is related to a verified in-service stressor. However, there is no evidence of alcohol or drug dependence disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder with psychosis and schizophrenia, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of these claims. The Board has not jurisdiction over these issues and they are therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), a lung condition, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability and remanded the psychiatric disorder claim. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the RO. The issues of service connection for asthma and hearing loss are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of a VA examination and obtaining more recent VA treatment records.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, finding that the earliest communication establishing a claim was received on March 13, 2008, and the date entitlement arose was December 17, 2007. The effective date assigned is October 25, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, organic affective syndrome, bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been withdrawn. The remaining issues were either not addressed or denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, service personnel records, and any other relevant documents. The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection claims for PTSD and depression will be reconsidered after all requested information is obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and no evidence linking any diagnosed condition to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and lung cancer, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the PTSD claim and that there was no exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The lung cancer claim was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for schizophrenia. Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to active service, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for mechanical low back strain is granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety. The evidence does not establish a diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental health condition during service or within one year post-service discharge.