Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2009

The Veteran seeks service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other acquired psychiatric disorders. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records from the Social Security Administration and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disability may be related to treatment in service or events experienced by the Veteran in service other than those on submarines or in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnoses to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and attempting to verify a claimed stressor. A VA examination will also be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric or low back disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, collapsed lungs with shortness of breath, and a jaw disorder due to lack of credible evidence showing continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination for her service-connected back condition and psychiatric disorder, as well as to determine the impact of these conditions on her employability. The TDIU issue will also be addressed.

The Board has ordered the RO to attempt to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors through all sources, including the United States Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC). The case is now REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying a claimed in-service stressor and obtaining VA medical examination to determine the extent, nature, and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly pension. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, STRs, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, resulting in a denial.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute and chronic alcohol intoxication, which is service-connected as secondary to his pre-existing condition of chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia. The claim for DIC benefits has been denied due to the lack of entitlement to total disability compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute and chronic alcohol intoxication, which is service-connected as secondary to his pre-existing condition of chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia. The claim for DIC benefits is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) were not incurred or related to her period of active military service. The claim for PTSD was granted as it is presumed to have been incurred due to a personal assault, but the service connection for the lumbar spine disability was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorder associated with asbestos exposure, chronic left knee disorder, and chronic right knee disorder are denied as not shown during active duty or related to service. The appeal is granted on reopening of the PTSD claim.

The Board found that the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, and thus did not reopen the previously denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for PTSD, including a lack of verification of in-service stressor events and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including clarification of prior service and VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disease, upper back, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated in service. The acquired psychiatric condition (to include depression with panic attacks) is also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, including recent medical opinions linking his current psychiatric disorder to his military service. The Board finds that there is at least equipoise of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including preparation of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC), VA examination and stressor verification.