Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder is related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Disability records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is etiologically related to his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of his separation from service, and there is insufficient evidence linking his current right shoulder disorder or psychiatric disorders to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia more likely than not had its onset in service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The claim for residuals of a right knee injury is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development to locate the Veteran's records from his hospitalizations in 1972, including those at Orlando Naval Hospital and Temple Hospital. The case will be remanded for further adjudication after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an oversight in obtaining SSA records, which may be relevant to the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or schizophrenia. The case is being remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if her current acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset or was aggravated in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and information regarding his claimed stressors. The VA will provide further examination and review of records to determine if any current psychiatric disorders, right foot or heel conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a near drowning incident, asthma, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), as well as his claim for a compensable evaluation for status post right inguinal hernia repair. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is caused by his service-connected right knee disability, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing. The issues of service connection for schizophrenia or schizoid personality disorder and bilateral knee disorder are still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining of medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of head injuries sustained in service is being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is withdrawn. The staphylococcal infection to the left knee resolved after treatment and is not currently shown. The cause of the Veteran's eczema is not related to his total knee replacement and thus is not a result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA in furnishing the hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or examination.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, but his depression is found to be secondary to his already service-connected low back disability. His low back disability remains at a 60 percent rating.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the TDIU rating, finding that June 20, 2002 is the correct date as it was when the Veteran's combined evaluation reached 70% and he became eligible for a TDIU. The competency of the Veteran to handle VA funds was addressed but not decided.

The Veteran's statements regarding a personal assault during service in Vietnam are credible, and the preponderance of medical evidence supports an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder as a result of his claimed in-service stressors. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted, but no increased rating or TDIU is granted.