Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had a total disability rating for less than the required period of time (less than 10 years prior to death) or did not meet the criteria as a former POW. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen her claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired mental disorder, as well as her claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for aggravation of a heart disorder. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder that he believes is related to his service-connected IgA nephropathy with anemia, orthostatic hypotension, and hypertension. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for psychiatric disability. However, there is no credible basis to find that the Veteran incurred a psychiatric disorder in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lung and heart disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been granted. The issue of SMP by reason of being housebound is addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and a DD214 from the appellant's first period of service. The VA is instructed to obtain these records, review them for any relevant information, and schedule the appellant for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including migraine headaches, hearing loss, arthritis of various joints, asthma, lower back degenerative disc disease and muscle pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression, allergies and rhinitis, and nerve paralysis, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his schizophrenia.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder was incurred during active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizophrenia. The claims for hyperglycemia (diabetes), hepatitis B and C, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for postoperative residuals of lumbar disc disease remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new regulations regarding PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and diabetes mellitus type II were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have chronicity of symptoms in service or a continuity of symptomatology after discharge, and there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying any disciplinary actions taken during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to issues related to service connection and a rating for irritable colon syndrome.

The Veteran is found incompetent to handle VA funds due to his mental condition, schizophrenia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral foot disorder, finding that there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service separation or a medical nexus to active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability, rheumatoid arthritis, or psychiatric disability (MDD) that is related to her active service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, right foot disorders, left foot disorders, sciatica symptoms of the lower extremities, right and left ankle disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence linking any current mental health disability to service.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as none of the newly submitted evidence showed that the Veteran's psychiatric disability originated during active duty service or provided a link between any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder and his active duty for training.