Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

Throughout the entire rating period on appeal, the Veteran's PTSD with schizophrenia has been characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as social anxiety, depression, sleep impairment, irritability, recurrent and distressing recollections, and hypervigilance. The criteria for a disability rating of 50 percent have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is related to sexual assaults in service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is being remanded due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Board has determined that a new and adequate examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, as well as any relationship between his service and this condition. The claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gynecological disability, bilateral knee disability, and psychiatric disorder including PTSD due to lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran does not have a psychiatric disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to address the claims for service connection for a skin disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder, with particular attention given to the theories of secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to service connection for diabetes, hypertension, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peptic ulcer disease, hepatitis C, residuals of a concussion, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and bipolar disorder) as there is no evidence demonstrating current diagnoses or showing a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no credible evidence of a head injury or neck injury during his active duty. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in service.,There is also no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, acid reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or seizure disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and determined that his acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, was not incurred in service or related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral leg disability, bilateral knee disability, and back disability due to a lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as dysthymic disorder and general anxiety disorder, is related to his period of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease (CAD), S/P CABG, and S/P MI, are shown as of the date of his claim to be of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment. Therefore, TDIU was granted from December 30, 2004 until July 7, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was not shown in service or until several years after service and has not been shown to be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, pelvic injury, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was granted. The issue of secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies, including not issuing a statement of the case on the issue of character of discharge. The issues related to service connection and total disability rating are inextricably intertwined with this matter.