Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Board dismissed the motion due to the death of the moving party, and thus has no jurisdiction to rule on this case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including restless leg syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, sleep disturbances, headaches, hyperlipidemia/hypercholesterolemia, hypothyroidism, and Epstein-Barr virus are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of a current disability due to service.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 30 percent, but the Board found no evidence of more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The claims for PTSD, IBS, migraines, joint pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome with insomnia were not addressed as they are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including consideration of new evidence and regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim, as there is no diagnosis of PTSD and the VA examinations found no current symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the overpayment of nonservice-connected disability pension benefit and the validity of the debt. The impact of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and substance abuse on his knowledge is to be addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the appellant's claims, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a VA examination. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has found no evidence of a service-connected disability for any of the conditions listed, including those related to mercury exposure.

The Board has determined that there is a nexus between the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability (dextroscoliosis) and service, granting service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD remains pending as an examination was not conducted due to the Veteran's failure to report for the scheduled VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychotic disorder, variously diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include schizophrenic reaction, paranoid type. The case is now remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic adjustment disorder, is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's schizophrenia was granted service connection effective April 30, 2007 and a rating of 70 percent is assigned for the period from that date forward.

The Veteran's vision disorder claim is denied, but his PTSD claim is reopened. He is granted TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a claimed innocently acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing notice regarding personal assault/PTSD claims.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, psychiatric disability other than PTSD, cervical radiculopathy, onychomycosis of the feet and toes, a fungus infection of the first finger, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's annual income was found to be excessive for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder cannot be reopened as new and material evidence has not been presented.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to substantiate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining complete STRs and private treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia and granted it, finding that there is a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim due to symptoms starting during service. The Board also found that the Veteran's schizophrenia likely had its onset during his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and an adjustment disorder, to include depression, which may be aggravated by either or both PTSD and an adjustment disorders, will be remanded for further development.