Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including examinations and consideration of presumptive service connection for undiagnosed illnesses.

The Veteran's right hip disability is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issues of increased ratings for his right knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, right knee, left elbow disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than dysthymic disorder with anxiety) to include PTSD and depression have been granted. The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and irritable bowel syndrome to include as being due to chemical exposure prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his in-service stressors and current psychiatric status.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and evidence, including stressor verification.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder, residuals of a bilateral eye injury, and spinal tumor. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to his service-connected eye disability was denied, and the claim for an increased rating for his bilateral conjunctivitis with cataracts was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits should not be waived due to fault on both his and VA's part, but also noted that recovery would not cause undue hardship or defeat the purpose of VA benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a respiratory condition, a back disorder, and a urinary or prostate disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted. The Veteran's previously considered evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to service-connected atrial fibrillation, PTSD, and personality disorder are all incurred during active duty service. The claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depression with anxiety, is related to service and grants service connection. The Veteran's hiatal hernia currently rated at zero percent disabling remains unchanged.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is not related to his service-connected diabetes and other disabilities, thus denying service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus was also denied as there were no additional symptoms or aggravation of existing conditions warranting an increase in disability ratings. TDIU was denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for SSA records, personnel records, and an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder. The appeal is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support these claims based on lack of in-service or postservice diagnosis.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision is based on new and material evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and dysthymia, was granted. His bilateral pes planus with knee pain was increased to a 50 percent rating effective May 25, 2007. The effective dates for the compensable ratings for left and right Achilles tendonitis were set at November 29, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to corroborate claimed stressors and provide a VA mental health examination.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depression) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.