Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and notification issues, as well as the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia was denied. The reduction of the disability evaluation from 50 percent to 10 percent for chronic headaches, effective October 1, 2009, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability were also denied.,The appeal is not about service connection at all, so 'unknown' applies.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, depression, and breathing disorder (other than sleep apnea) are granted. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss and left leg disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not related to service. The claim for increased rating in excess of 50 percent for right carpal tunnel syndrome remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea are being reviewed.

The Veteran's schizophrenia was rated at 70 percent from April 29, 2005 and granted a TDIU due to this disability.

The Veteran's skin condition involving the left side of his face is currently rated at 80 percent, which is the highest schedular evaluation available under the Diagnostic Codes for scars. The effective date remains March 16, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is not related to her service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his active duty service or any other form of exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric, knee, and unspecified joint disabilities are not related to his active service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting a psychiatric examination, and readjudicating the claim based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and information regarding his employment history.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to incomplete information regarding his in-service stressors and need for a comprehensive mental health evaluation.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied by operation of law as he does not meet the criteria for a current disability. The claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, and vision disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of stressors and a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran has PTSD due to any verified service-related stressor, and to determine the nature and etiology of any other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder and depressive reaction, was found to have significant symptoms prior to April 29, 2008, but did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The claim of entitlement to TDIU benefits due to service-connected disability is also denied.