Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran failed to report for a necessary VA examination and thus there is no legal entitlement to service connection. For the issue of increased rating for postoperative residuals of surgical removal of left exostosis talus, the Veteran's failure to appear for a necessary VA examination resulted in denial.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of neck scar, service connection for psychiatric disability and cervical spine disability, and special monthly compensation based on a spouse's need for aid and attendance were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete development and compliance with VCAA requirements. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, is REMANDED.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder/panic attacks, and a thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for asthma and otitis media were also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination. The issues of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and lumbar spine disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD and the evidence does not support a finding that any currently diagnosed anxiety or depression is related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia, major depression, a depressive disorder, and a not otherwise specified psychotic disorder. The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for further VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction is held in abeyance.

The Board found that a chronic back disability was not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, and tinnitus has been granted. However, the acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as dyssomnia) was not found to be related to service.,Service connection for tinnitus was established based on a finding that it is proximately due to the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service treatment records from the Veteran's period of USAR service. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA audiological examination to determine the etiology of his right ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disabilities, and a VA psychiatric examination to determine the likely etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder(s).

The Board has expanded the claim to include all psychiatric disabilities and is remanding for further development, including obtaining additional stressor verification, VA mental health treatment records, and SSA disability decision records.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, and is remanding the PTSD claim for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA records and affording the Veteran a VA examination to determine if he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia, cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The rating for his low back disability remains denied as there is no evidence showing a higher rating is warranted based on current symptoms. Additionally, the TDIU claim has also been denied.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and there is no evidence establishing a link between any psychiatric disorder and his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been denied.