Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder(s), including schizophrenia, and whether it is related to the Veteran's active service. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need to verify a reported stressor and determine if there are any other acquired psychiatric disorders present.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the VA examiner's opinion. A new examination and opinion are required.

The Veteran's son, M.D.W., was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 years and is therefore not recognized as a helpless child. The cause of death (cardiorespiratory arrest due to or a consequence of brain death) was not caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected schizophrenia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral eye disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and psychiatric disorder as service connection was not established.

The Board has remanded the case for necessary procedural actions, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and asking the Veteran to clarify his apparent claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Mease Countryside Hospital from September 5, 2005 to September 9, 2005 and November 18, 2005 to November 29, 2005 were not authorized prior to admission or within 72 hours of admission. The Board also found that the Veteran was in receipt of a 100% disability rating for his service-connected schizophrenia at the time of these hospitalizations and that the care provided did not constitute an emergency.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The claim is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further evidence and a medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including loss of teeth, sinus condition, vision problems, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), tinnitus, skin disability, and residuals of a left knee injury were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a left knee disorder due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher evaluation for his left hip disability were denied. The appeal was based on new evidence that reopened the claim, but no specific rating or effective date is assigned.

The Board has reopened the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to receipt of new and material evidence. However, additional development is needed regarding the underlying service connection claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and left leg/foot disorder did not manifest during his active duty service. The evidence does not support a causal relationship between these disorders and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support these claims as they were not related to his active service.

The Board denied the application to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and denied service connection for Mônière's syndrome with vertigo as well as reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis and sinus headaches. The appeal is now in remand status due to the pending decision on the claim of service connection for sinusitis and sinus headaches.

The Veteran's bladder cancer and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are granted service connection as they are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to personal assault. The Veteran's claim was initially denied in March 2002 and remanded multiple times before the Board finally granted it.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and medical treatment records. The VA will determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is directly related to military service or caused by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and his adjustment disorder with anxiety is not related to service. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a scar on the back of the head with migraines, finding no evidence of such condition in service or post-service. The psychiatric disorder claim is pending.