Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen several of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing Social Security Administration (SSA) records and other relevant medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and that the criteria for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand and right hand were not met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including verification of stressors and a psychiatric examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left arm tendonitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for PTSD and hand tremors, finding new and material evidence. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia had its onset during active duty service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorders, depressive illnesses, schizophrenia, and manic and chronic depressive illness is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records, clarify his medical history and provide a statement of the case for issues not yet addressed.

The Board denied the motion to restore service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in an April 1980 decision, finding that latent schizophrenia was not a true psychosis but more reflective of a personality disorder.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and his symptoms are better explained by alcohol dependence. The Board finds that service connection is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, has been dismissed due to his failure to respond to VA requests and provide necessary information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist disability, blood disorder, acquired mental disorder (other than PTSD), or hypertension due to service. The claim for bilateral knee disorder is denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is not related to his active military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a new examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia, is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as her symptoms do not meet or approximate those required for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder has been received. The underlying claim for service connection will be addressed in the Remand portion of this decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service-connected conditions. The lung disorder is not shown to be directly related to service or service-connected conditions, but may be due to obesity and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.