Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability and found that there is new and material evidence to support this claim. The reduction in the rating for the thoracic spine disability from 40 percent to 10 percent was improper, as it did not meet the criteria for such a reduction. The Veteran's current disability evaluation for his thoracic spine remains at 10 percent.

The Board found that the appellant's current psychiatric disorder did not manifest during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and there is no evidence of a nexus between his service-connected condition and his current psychiatric disability. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for narcolepsy and reduced his rating from 60% to 20%. The decision also dismissed the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression and impulse control disorder, is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service disease or injury that resulted in the current conditions.

The Veteran's rhabdomylosis and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD are found to be the result of VA treatment, specifically the administration of high levels of simvastatin. The Board finds that this constitutes a direct service connection as it was not due to negligence or carelessness on the part of VA.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is at least as likely as not caused or permanently worsened by his service-connected fistula in ano, Crohn's colitis with perianal disease and/or pilonidal cyst.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and a TDIU was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, excluding PTSD, remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) due to a lack of verified stressors, and because there was no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for idiopathic dilated congestive heart cardiomyopathy, a respiratory disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder and major depression), finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active duty training in July 2001.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD). The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a back condition. For the other issues, there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for an ear disorder, to include bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated during any period of military service and no psychosis manifested within one year after termination of any period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA TBI examination and a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that the Veteran's current cardiovascular, kidney, headache, and psychiatric disabilities are secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and bilateral pes planus due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, rated at 100% since 1987, is service-connected. The Board finds that the emergency room treatment on October 9, 2004 met all criteria for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current and chronic PTSD diagnosis related to service, and no other psychiatric disorder was linked to service. The preponderance of evidence supports the conclusion that any diagnosed conditions are not causally related to military service.