Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder has been reopened, and the issue of an increased evaluation for low back strain remains pending. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for schizophrenia, but it is unclear whether this will result in a grant or denial as the decision remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but new and material evidence was received. The case is now remanded to provide a VA examination and update the claims file with recent treatment records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased initial rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia, and TDIU were denied. The issue of service connection for a disorder of the feet, claimed as arthritis, was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's current chronic acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further development to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for further development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes schizophrenia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disability or a bilateral foot disability in service, and there is no evidence to support a finding of such disabilities being related to his military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Veteran's requested Videoconference hearing and will return it to the Board if necessary. The Veteran can submit additional evidence during this process.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed cervical spine disability, psychiatric disorder, and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including another VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol and drug abuse, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence submitted since the May 2005 denial is not new or material to reopen either claim.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current back, pericarditis, hypertension, or psychiatric disability to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the effective date for the total evaluation assigned to the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia, undifferentiated type, should be June 27, 2007, as this was the date of receipt of his claim.

The Board has awarded service connection for tinnitus, which represents a complete grant of the benefits sought on appeal. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are also granted as direct service connection is established.

The Veteran's depression is found to be at least as likely as not attributable to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder and TDIU are remanded.

The Board found that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor and thus denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU were denied. The Board found that his loss of use of both feet due to bilateral ankle fractures was not related to military service or reserve duty, and his psychiatric disorder was not caused by military service or a service-connected disability.