Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case for a travel board hearing as requested by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining service personnel records and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The issues of whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen claims for service connection for back disability and for psychiatric disabilities are considered in light of the VCAA.

The Board has remanded the case for a travel board hearing as requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including paranoid schizophrenia and a hearing loss condition, did not render him unemployable prior to May 5, 2005. The Board found that the disability alone was not severe enough to prevent substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and did not reopen the claim of an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision is considered to be correct based on the evidence at that time.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to his service. The case is therefore being remanded for additional examination and evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability had its onset during his active service and granted service connection for it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and memory loss have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition related to military service, including as secondary to an in-service personal assault.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and no arthritis affecting the cervical spine manifested to a compensable degree within one year following his separation from service. The claim for psychiatric disorder, low back strain, headaches, left knee and left foot disabilities is reopened as new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and psychiatric disability were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) and a bilateral knee disorder are granted. The claim for the acquired psychiatric disorder is based on personal assault stressor, while the claim for the bilateral knee disorder is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as schizophrenia, was not incurred in or aggravated during his period of active duty for training. The claim was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia. The evidence received since the last final denial was not new and material.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence. However, it is denied as schizophrenia did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric and cardiovascular disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for DRO review due to a failure to provide an Appeal Election letter, and the case will be returned to the Board if necessary.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Veteran is found to have a diagnosis of PTSD as a result of his military service, and therefore service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain records of in-service mental health treatment and the Veteran's personnel file, as well as VA hospitalization and treatment records from 1976 to 1997.