Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss secondary to his otitis media. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine if he has current bilateral hearing loss and whether it is related to his in-service otitis media.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for dysphagia, which the Board finds may be related to his otitis media or his service-connected deviated septum. A VA examination is needed to assess the nature of his current dysphagia and its relationship to his service.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, secondary to his otitis media, bilateral hearing loss, or service-connected deviated septum. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature of his current psychiatric condition and whether it is related to his in-service issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues related to PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations, and his claim will be reconsidered after these examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as secondary to service-connected low back and migraine headache disabilities. The issue of a higher initial rating greater than 40 percent for fibromyalgia is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently suffer from a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The preponderance of evidence does not support service connection for any current psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's depression is found to be service-connected, and he has a lung disability likely due to asbestos exposure during military service.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has ordered the RO to locate and consolidate all relevant records in order to adjudicate this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from Dr. Huey Meeker, and the Board requests that the legal custodian provide these records if they are in their possession.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for paranoid type schizophrenia, previously characterized as dysthymic disorder, was granted. The case also addressed reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions and the assignment of a TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and diabetes, as well as a claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA treatment causing liver disability. The decision found no credible evidence of Vietnam service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied restoration of service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, finding that the initial grant was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to a lack of continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia was denied. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the April 1974 or April 1994 rating decisions, as the evidence at those times supported the denial.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosed disability and insufficient credible supporting evidence for claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder was granted. The effective date remains November 4, 1983.,Service connection for schizophrenia, paranoid type is not earlier than November 4, 1983.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not solely about service connection and have requested additional development to address other issues, including a psychiatric disorder claim due to personal assault allegations.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding Social Security Administration records and other necessary actions.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are etiologically related to service or herbicide exposure. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor, and his current psychiatric disability is not shown to be related to service. His hypertension and weakness conditions are also not linked to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric evaluation to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service. The Veteran's claims are currently on hold while these steps are taken.