Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to uncertainty regarding the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric and encephalopathy symptoms. Further development is needed, including examinations to determine if he currently suffers from chronic, clinically-identifiable encephalopathy or an acquired psychiatric disorder that had its origin during his period of active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, with anxiety and adjustment reaction, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The case will also be referred to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension for adjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam. The issue of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the right elbow has been withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining claims, including those related to diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded due to conflicting statements regarding his military duties.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's septorhinoplasty disability, as well as whether he has a back or psychiatric disability related to service. The claims are also being reviewed with consideration of all applicable laws and regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased disability evaluation for a heart condition were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability, or any link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, are the result of drug and alcohol abuse. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's chronic paranoid schizophrenia is attributable to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD or another acquired psychiatric disability that is related to service, including conceded in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and scheduling a VA examination for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen a final disallowed claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, other than PTSD, are found to be related to service. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for service connection for a left upper extremity disorder and for a sleep disorder. The appeal of the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. This includes verifying the Veteran's reported stressors and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and schizophrenia are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a change in the hearing officer and the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and hypertension was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or any link between the Veteran's current psychiatric condition (schizophrenia) and military service. For hypertension, there is also no evidence linking it to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nasal polyps, bilateral pes cavus, left eye convergence disorder, groin rash, right index finger laceration, and laceration of the knuckle of the right hand. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim was expanded to include PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a stress fracture of the left lower tibia is granted. The Board finds that she suffers from current residuals of this in-service injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for schizophrenia and hepatitis C. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and concluded that any current psychiatric disability is due to a personality disorder that existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. For hepatitis C, the Board determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish its onset during service.