Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder and there was no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in his service records and the need for clarification regarding his claimed service in Vietnam. The case will be reviewed again after further development, including a VA PTSD examination if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected schizophrenia, paranoid type is granted. The case is also remanded to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his alleged stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic pain syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Veteran was also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right wrist disability prior to November 18, 2005, and a rating in excess of 20 percent since that date. Service connection for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the rectum has been denied as there is no credible evidence of any in-service gunshot wound and no competent evidence of current residuals.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication based on new VA Medical Center records, and the Veteran is to be provided an opportunity to respond.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required before the claims can be adjudicated. The appeal is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, DC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and increased ratings for psoriasis and left ring finger disability. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder has been rated at 70 percent since March 2006. The Board finds that due to his mental incapacity, he is not competent for the purpose of receiving direct payment of VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and obtaining updated medical records.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required before the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD can be adjudicated. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder that is attributable to his active military service. The records do not support a grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder or a personality disorder.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's death to any service-connected condition, and denied the claim for cause of death benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing a VA examination to clarify whether any diagnosed conditions are related to the Veteran's combat experiences in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and attempting to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Schimelfenig in Phoenix, Arizona and St. Joseph's in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as his reported combat experiences in Vietnam are consistent with the circumstances of his service and sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the severity of his disability. The Board seeks a new VA examination and opinion to reconcile the differing views in the medical records.