Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder has been reopened, while his claims for left knee and right knee disorders have both been granted. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted and others are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with schizophrenia has resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a 100 percent schedular rating effective from January 20, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria to establish service connection for any of the claimed conditions, as there is no competent and credible evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically schizoaffective disorder, is not service-connected due to a lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Headaches as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness, and Chronic Fibromyalgia have been granted. The effective dates are based on the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his active service and whether he meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of whether the character of the appellant's discharge is a bar to eligibility for VA benefits. The appellant was found to have a strong possibility of having schizophrenia, which may indicate he could not determine right from wrong at the time of his offenses in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left patellar tendon rupture was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records from Emporia and any private medical records, as well as his Social Security Administration disability records. The Veteran will also be provided with new VA examinations for his hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied her claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is granted, considering his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from September 11 to September 12, 2004 is granted. The Board finds that the care rendered at Mercy Hospital was given in response to a medical emergency and VA treatment was not feasibly available.

The Board found that the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional information and evidence for the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a right shoulder disorder. The Veteran must be provided with adequate notification in accordance with Kent v. Nicholson, including information about the rationale behind the August 1988 Board decision.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA examination to clarify any diagnosis of psychiatric disabilities and whether it is related to service. The Veteran's claim will be re-adjudicated after this development.

The Board has ordered additional development to be completed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and seeking SSA records. Additional VA examinations are also needed for the Veteran's psychiatric condition, eye abnormality, and right wrist disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain an injury to his low back during service and concluded that any current low back disability is not related to service. The psychiatric disorder was also determined to be unrelated to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disorder, psychiatric disorder (anxiety), and injuries sustained in a jeep accident are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of service origin.