Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and exposure to herbicides, as well as VA examinations related to sinusitis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder was incurred in his active service and granted service connection for it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia. The Board also denied her secondary service connection claim for memory deficit, insomnia, and sleep apnea as these conditions are not related to her active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has ordered additional VA medical records to be obtained and a new examination for the Veteran's psychiatric, hearing loss, and sinusitis claims. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is addressed separately.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder is not linked to his service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, was incurred in active military service.

The Board has determined that there is competent medical evidence of a causal link between an in-service right knee injury and the Veteran's current right knee disability. Therefore, service connection for this disability is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric condition, alcoholism, and residuals of a motor vehicle accident as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including dysthymia, depression disorder, and anxiety disorder, is attributable to his service-connected diabetes. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) and a 20 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with facet arthrosis, L4-S1. The initial evaluations were granted but not increased beyond 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, requires additional development and remands. The Veteran must be provided with an adequate examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD if found.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for cervical strain with radiculopathy, lumbar disc derangement with disc bulging at L4-L and L5-S1 with radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for psychiatric disorders, including PTSD due to personal assault. The Board finds that additional development is needed and remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's claimed conditions.

The Board found the Veteran's reports of in-service stressors credible and noted that he experienced depressive and anxiety symptoms during service. However, there is no persuasive medical evidence showing a causal relationship between his current psychological disorders and military service.