Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is at least 50% likely to be due to military sexual trauma (MST) events during service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any joint disability and psychiatric disability. The case will be reviewed again after all necessary development has been completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for a psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and bilateral hip conditions are granted, with the exception of her right hip condition which is pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a bilateral knee disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left hip disability and GERD has been granted with an initial rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a skin disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left ankle disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted with an initial rating of 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the Veteran's disabilities. The appeal is now pending again with the RO.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, varicose veins, and a psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran did not provide any additional information or evidence that would support reopening these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and a need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after all requested information is obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia contributed substantially or materially to his death from lung cancer, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not show any diagnosed psychiatric disability was incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran's active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury to the bilateral hands was denied due to lack of current diagnosed disability. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted based on evidence showing a link between in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor and the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent since August 1, 2005. The claim for increased initial evaluation for diabetes mellitus remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected as it was caused by an in-service personal assault, and there is new evidence that supports the claim.

The Veteran does not have a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and all of his psychiatric symptoms are attributed to the service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's hepatitis is considered resolved with no ongoing active infection.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development of the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a chronic disability manifested by chest pains and increased heart rate (to include heart murmurs). The Veteran's claims of service connection for psychiatric disorders and low back disorder are also remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.