Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression with psychosis and diabetes mellitus, have significantly impaired his ability to move around. As a result, he is eligible for specially adapted housing assistance but not for a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for calcaneal bursitis, schizophrenia, and right shoulder impingement were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for schizophrenia but with a noncompensable rating. The ratings for right shoulder impingement remain unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied due to the lack of meeting the required percentage standards set forth in VA regulations. However, his case is referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of whether he qualifies for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and increased evaluations for mandible fractures have been denied. The Veteran's psychiatric condition is not service connected, and his mandible fractures do not meet the criteria for compensable ratings.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders, NOS are found to be related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The vision disorder claim remains pending as it requires further examination.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected psychiatric condition, schizophrenia, which contributed to his non-compliance with medical treatment and ultimately led to his respiratory failure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied because there is no credible supporting evidence that the alleged stressors actually occurred during her military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and left hip disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, nor may they be presumed. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from a non-VA emergency ambulance provider on February 5, 2007 is granted due to the presence of a service-connected condition (paranoid type schizophrenia), meeting the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service stressors have not established a valid PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and a left ankle disability were denied as the evidence did not support their etiology with his active duty service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric conditions and spinal and joint disorders, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected left foot disability. The Board has determined that additional evidence should be obtained before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, ED, right eye cataract, CAD, a busted eardrum with nerve damage, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The appeals were based on direct service connection rather than due to herbicide exposure or secondary to another condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Tinley Park Mental Health Center and Illinois Central Hospital. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a verified stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and multiple joint pains, including as due to undiagnosed illness. The issues of increased ratings for his low back, cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities were also addressed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for passive aggressive personality disorder and schizophrenia. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a condition for which he had pending claims at the time of his death, and thus accrued benefits are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as he experienced a traumatic event during his military service and there is credible supporting evidence of this stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that new evidence did not reopen his hypertension claim but denying all other issues on the merits.