Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for competency to manage his own affairs is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mental disorder was aggravated beyond its natural progression during service, and thus grants service connection for a mental disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as depression, did not have onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder are found to be related to his military service. The skin disorders, including seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and lichen planus, were not shown to have been present in service or for many years thereafter.

The Veteran's Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand was found to be incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board denied an increased rating for the appellant's catatonic schizophrenia and did not find that he met the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia contributed to his death, but the claim is granted as he would have been rated totally disabled for more than 10 years prior to his death if not for a clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for schizophrenia and service connection for a somatization disorder were denied by the RO. The Appellant is not entitled to accrued benefits based on these claims as they were pending at the time of her husband's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a review of the Veteran's discharge and any supporting documentation from the Army Review Boards Agency. Additionally, another VA opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is pending and requires further development due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and whether his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Court has affirmed the Board's February 2006 decision with respect to some service connection claims and remanded others. The motion for CUE is dismissed as moot due to the Court's decisions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records from the Veteran's VA Medical Center.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, back pain secondary to PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The claim for left knee disorder was previously denied. The Veteran's increased rating claims have also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and mood disorder) due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction, right bundle branch block, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, and a psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety). The decision found that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen these claims.

The Veteran incurred unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at Sacred Heart Hospital from September 7, 2007 through September 28, 2007. The VA denied payment because VA facilities were feasibly available to provide care and the Veteran could have been safely transferred to a VA facility prior to September 7, 2007.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration due to various procedural issues, including obtaining missing service records and additional medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a need for additional development and examination.