Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic amputation of the right middle finger is appropriately rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that his chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was incurred as a result of his in-service trauma and is related to his current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's heart disability is not service connected, but his psychiatric disability (depression) may be secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic headaches.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right hallux valgus was granted, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) and HIV were also granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher initial rating for his acquired mental disorder-major depression were denied as there was no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to June 13, 2000. The RO assigned the earliest possible effective date based on the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted, and finds that her current PTSD is at least as likely as not related to her period of active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim. The Veteran's current diagnosis of major depression is found to be related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and schizophrenia, as well as his attempt to reopen his claim for PTSD. The decision also noted that no new and material evidence had been received to support reopening of the PTSD claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been received. However, further development is needed before the reopened claim may be adjudicated.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. However, the claims for service connection for kidney stones have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The issue of service connection for PTSD is being remanded.

The Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders are not related to his period of active service, and the Board finds that he did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder), and a chronic seizure disorder. The evidence submitted since the previous decisions is both new and material.

The Veteran's service-connected paranoid type schizophrenia is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence showing the conditions were incurred in service. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to her in-service noise exposure and that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for stroke and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected schizophrenia. The case is being remanded for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disability and hepatitis C.