Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's schizophrenia is presumed to have been incurred in service and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a back disorder was denied as the evidence did not show that his additional disability resulted from VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for further action by the originating agency, including scheduling a Video Conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, dizziness (vertigo), bilateral eye disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The new evidence submitted is considered material to these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were denied. His heart condition was rated at 30 percent prior to April 26, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are not related to her active duty service and have denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her low back disability from July 11, 2008 to August 29, 2011. The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected low back disability was manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; a combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour. The Veteran's claim for increased rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran experienced stressors related to rocket attacks during his service in Vietnam. The diagnosis of PTSD is supported by credible supporting evidence and a VA psychologist's opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records, scheduling a VA examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disability incurred in or aggravated during his active duty service, and determining if he has an alcohol-related disability caused by his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain with degenerative changes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal to have an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia was dismissed because he did not file a timely appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, variously diagnosed as PTSD, schizophrenia, paranoid type, also claimed as a nervous condition/depression. The Veteran submitted new and material evidence in December 2008 supporting his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining clarification on SSA disability benefits and conducting a VA examination with a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding it related to herbicide exposure in service. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than schizophrenia, claimed as bipolar disorder, is denied. The Board found no evidence of onset during or within one year after service and the medical records do not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain service treatment records and a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including whether it is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA records and arranging for a psychiatric examination to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disability.