Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability and initial evaluation for a low back disability were both denied. The Board found that the current acquired psychiatric disability is not related to service, while the low back disability did not meet criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current mental health disabilities and his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new examination by a different provider.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and a psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder), finding no evidence of such conditions during or related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability and did not address the evaluation of low back strain (a low back disability) in excess of 10 percent prior to February 15, 2007 and 20 percent from February 15, 2007 forward.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, left ear hearing loss, and right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), finding no evidence of these conditions in service or linking them to service.

The Veteran's claim for accrued benefits was denied as he did not have a pending claim at the time of his death, and no retroactive disability compensation had been awarded before his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination to assess whether any current psychiatric disorder is attributable to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination. The issue includes verifying an in-service stressor event.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disability had its initial manifestations during his active military service from July 1953 to June 1955 or within the following year.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia had its onset during his second period of service and is therefore granted service connection. The issue regarding whether the character of the Veteran's discharge from his second period of service constitutes a bar to VA benefits was also resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a heart disorder and denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including depression and panic disorder. The Board also denied service connection for alcoholism as not related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran is not competent to handle funds disbursed by VA, based on multiple evaluations indicating his mental incapacity.

The Board found that the appellant's preexisting schizophrenia did not increase in severity during his less than two months of active service and determined that it was not incurred or aggravated therein. The claim is therefore granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder. This includes obtaining all relevant medical records, including those from his military service, as well as any private treatment he may have received.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of her service-connected arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that her disability did not meet or approximate criteria warranting a higher rating, as it did not result in unfavorable ankylosis and there were no incapacitating episodes during the past year.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia due to new and material evidence. The Board also found that the Veteran's schizophrenia is presumed to have been incurred in service.