Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of left ear infections, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) have been reopened. However, the new evidence does not provide a valid diagnosis related to confirmed in-service stressors or establish a medical relationship with his pre-existing conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a confirmed combat stressor or pre-existing mental disorder, and the Veteran's current diagnosis is generalized anxiety disorder rather than PTSD. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Board is remanding the case to schedule another Travel Board hearing before readjudicating the appeal. The Veteran previously requested a hearing but did not appear, and now his new attorney requests another hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia, a psychiatric disability. The Veteran's back disability is not addressed in this decision as it was referred to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore service connection for this condition cannot be established. The claim for residuals of a back injury is also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran has PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder related to his military service, and to obtain relevant VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's left nephrectomy was not service connected and denied his claims for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development and a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and other associated psychiatric disorders (other than PTSD) are attributable to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD that is causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder, bilateral hand disorder, sinus disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia in January 1984, and the RO subsequently denied applications to reopen multiple times. The most recent denial was based on a lack of new evidence.

The Veteran was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with depressed mood in service and has continued to experience symptoms of depression since then. The Board finds that her current diagnosis is related to her active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran withdrew the issues of entitlement to service connection for pleural effusion, sleep apnea, hypertension; and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right elbow status post fracture before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability, tinnitus, and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) is related to service but the claim for service connection remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied as there is no credible evidence linking the current condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.,Service connection was granted for a personality disorder, diagnosed in service. The effective date of this grant is November 15, 1991.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, defective vision, loss of sensation to left arm, right leg disability, and chronic headaches. The evidence submitted since the previous denial is considered new and material, allowing these claims to be reconsidered.

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 appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining updated treatment records.