Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was incurred during service due to an in-service sexual assault.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a currently diagnosed disability manifested by joint pain or an acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records related to the Veteran's disability benefits claim. The Veteran's schizophrenia claim is still pending and will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder that is attributable to military service and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's current calluses, right foot, are related to service and the Board finds them to be related to his in-service corns. The Veteran also has a thoracolumbar spine disability that is at least as likely as not related to service. However, there is no evidence of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disability due to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for PTSD and Lisfranc fracture were successful, but the claim for left ankle sprain remains denied as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination at a medical facility capable of handling his physical size and stature, as well as informing him about revised VA regulations for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia, did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and has not been shown to be causally related to military service. Service connection was denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appellant now has evidence showing current diagnoses related to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD are being remanded due to the unavailability of his service records. The VA is instructed to attempt to obtain additional evidence regarding the in-service stressor event for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder, headache disorder, sinusitis, gastroenteritis, upper back disability, and low back disability. The appeals were based on direct evidence of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis, depression, and lung disorder due to potential service connection issues related to his in-service use of heroin and exposure to mustard gas/lewisite.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of radiation exposure (pulmonary fibrosis), and residuals of exposure to lead paint. The evidence did not support a finding that any current conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The case is remanded for additional examinations and development of the claims, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA compensation examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia, is attributable to service. The claim for increased rating on right foot disability requires additional development.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, or hypertension during service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not experience chronic or continuous psychiatric symptoms during service and has no evidence of such since discharge. The current psychiatric disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of dental surgical trauma, chronic ear and eye disorders secondary to sinusitis, and a higher initial rating for his service-connected sinusitis is granted. The Board also notes that the Veteran's TDIU claim is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's low back condition is service-connected, and his acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder and PTSD) may be related to service. The lung condition is not service-connected.