Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant is not a child or spouse of the deceased. Therefore, benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding no competent evidence of current disability or persistent/recurrent symptoms related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and a psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is causally related to service.

The case is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner should specifically address whether the Veteran's report of feeling threatened by a soldier who committed shootings on the firing range was 'fear' as defined in the DSM-IV.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting schizophrenia did not become aggravated by his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability did not begin during service and was not aggravated by service. The evidence showed no in-service treatment for a psychiatric condition, and the Veteran's pre-existing depression prior to service is presumed to have been caused by non-service factors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and insufficient examination report.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the medical opinions indicate that it is less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's back disability (Degenerative Disc Disease with Lumbar Stenosis) claim is granted as the VA examiner opined that it was as likely as not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) claim is granted as the VA examiner opined that it was as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, consideration of outstanding VA records, and further development regarding his unemployability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic skin disorder or psychiatric disorder that began in service and is not related to the Veteran's current conditions. The claim for PTSD was denied as there was insufficient evidence linking the claimed stressor to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and psychiatric disorder claims, as well as to address the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric condition. The Veteran will be scheduled for appropriate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right hip and knee disability, psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD), sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorder, and hemorrhoids. The decision found that these conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn.,New and material evidence has been submitted, reopening the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) and hypertension.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia, did not manifest during or as a result of his military service, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for another VA psychiatric examination and consideration of lay evidence regarding continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for readjudication in compliance with directives specified in a December 2010 Joint Motion.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and for diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision did not address the Veteran's claim regarding his depression.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and residuals of a traumatic brain injury, but his claim for left hand Dupuytren's contracture is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disability.