Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from the Veteran's compensation and pension examiner regarding his claimed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and panic disorders, is found to be aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability. The back disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The right knee tendonitis and left knee patellofemoral stress syndrome are each rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral eye disability, asbestosis, hepatitis C, arthritis of all joints, sinusitis, HIV, and recurrent pneumonia. The Board also denied his claim for an increased rating for residuals of a chip fracture of the right thumb.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for service connection for right knee and low back disorders, both secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, have been timely perfected. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is also considered timely.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to her psychiatric conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, needs further development and examination before it can be decided.

The Board found that the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorder did not have its onset or increase in severity during a period of active duty for training and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board is remanding the case to attempt further verification of the Veteran's in-service stressors and to obtain a VA examination for both his psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and tinnitus claims.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and found that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability. The claims of increased ratings for post-traumatic headaches, dorsolumbar region with myositis, and cervical spine injury were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to combat-related activities in Vietnam, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 10 percent since June 27, 2002 and increased to 30 percent effective February 7, 2006. The Veteran is entitled to a higher rating for his PTSD.,However, the Veteran's schizophrenia also contributes significantly to his overall disability picture.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, was not incurred in or related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to appear at previously scheduled hearings and his requests for a video conference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and concluded that his dysthymic disorder did not have its onset during service or was caused by any event or incident that occurred during service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking his psychiatric disorders to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was incurred in and caused by his military service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records from the Veteran's treatment providers. The appeal will be remanded for further action.