Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2008

The VA denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, stating that there was no evidence linking his drug overdose to his military service.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a psychiatric examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical examinations and records. The veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, shin splints, and a compensable evaluation for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome are being reviewed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gout and psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia. The decision is final as it was made in April 1984.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and psychiatric disability, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The examiner opined that any current psychiatric disability is not at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, are at least as likely as not related to his military service. Therefore, both claims for service connection have been granted.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on September 18, 2003 were reimbursed as the treatment was for a medical emergency and VA facilities were unavailable.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, effective from October 4, 1999. The veteran's claim was reopened based on new and material evidence submitted after the initial denial in 1980.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder with agoraphobia, is related to his military service and has granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the May 2003 rating decision denying service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is final. As new and material evidence was not received since these decisions, the claims remain denied.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran's claims for service connection on all issues except tinnitus were denied. The maximum disability rating of 10% for tinnitus was granted.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, sialodenosis, parotid mass and parotiditis of the left side of the face, and lipoma of the right side of the face due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was granted for a lipoma of the right side of the face (status post excision) as it is considered a direct result of service.

The Board dismissed the appeal as there is no remaining case or controversy over which the Board has jurisdiction. The issue of CUE in the December 1956 and April 1966 rating decisions is not before the Board, and the veteran's representative has specifically denied that such an issue has been raised in this appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a psychiatric disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's skin rash and psychiatric disorder (claimed as nervous condition) were not found to be related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder manifested by insomnia and nightmares. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records, verifying stressors, and providing a comprehensive examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his claimed hearing loss, back disorder, and pulmonary disorders. The issues of service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disorder are also being remanded.