Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that a medical examination is necessary to evaluate the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and low back disorder. The appeal will be remanded for these examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for schizophrenia. The issue of service connection for arthritis of the back, knees, ankles, and wrists remains denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no evidence of an exceptional pattern of hearing loss.,There is no current diagnosis or history of a headache disorder in the claims file. The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, claimed as a result of herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and for a psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.,The claim of reopening a psychiatric disorder was granted, with evidence showing a current disability and a nexus between in-service issues and the current condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected schizophrenia, paranoid type is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed PTSD related to his military service and there is no competent evidence linking any acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to his military service or any incident therein.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection in full, including reopening of previously denied claims and granting new evaluations.

The Board is requesting additional medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's stomach disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are related to her military service, particularly her claimed sexual assault. The claims for service connection will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied due to his failure, without good cause, to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to his in-service stressor and if so, whether he should be granted service connection for PTSD. The issue of sleep disorder will also be addressed as it is intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a head scar, residual of a traumatic head injury in November 2003. The Veteran has submitted new evidence that does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding his use of heroin and hearing voices during service were not credible, and thus concluded that an acquired psychiatric disability to include schizoaffective disorder was not incurred in active service.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine strain, schizophrenia, right ear hearing loss, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, or fibromyositis. The effective dates for increased disability ratings were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; a balance disorder manifested by vertigo; and a gastrointestinal disorder. The claim for sarcoidosis was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has determined that a comprehensive VA mental disorders examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if the Veteran currently has left shoulder and right knee disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The examination results will be used to assess whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including psychological anguish secondary to service-connected residuals of a scalp laceration and stress as secondary to acne vulgaris, is granted. Service connection was also established for intermittent headaches and pancreatitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of mononucleosis, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology, and thus denied this claim. Service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, was also denied as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.