Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be decided, including obtaining SSA records and VA hospitalization records, notifying the Veteran of secondary service connection laws and regulations for a psychiatric disorder, and obtaining an addendum opinion on the etiology of the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and determine the appropriate rating for her acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of competency for direct receipt of VA compensation benefits will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder, diagnosed as a chronic condition in service and persisting to the present time, was incurred during active military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia. The issue is now on remand for further development.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and a low back disability, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection based on in-service occurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury. The evidence showed no indication of psychiatric symptoms during service, and the current disorders were diagnosed after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues related to service connection and rating of various disabilities, including psychiatric disorders, diabetes mellitus, vision disability, and sleep apnea.

PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been granted.,Cold injury to the hands has not been established as a service-connected disability.,Cold injury to the left foot has been granted as a service-connected disability.,Kidney disorder has not been established as a service-connected disability.,Prostate disorder has not been established as a service-connected disability.,An initial 10 percent rating for status post fistulotomy prior to June 6, 2006 has been granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for status post fistulotomy on and after June 6, 2006 has not been granted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound is denied because his helplessness and essential housebound status are due to multiple disabilities, including nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, hip, knee, and psychiatric conditions. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain additional evidence from Social Security Administration.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in both ears and a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The Veteran's hearing loss is found to be directly related to his military service, while the psychiatric disorder is also considered to have been incurred during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of a personal assault in service, which is required for service connection based on such a stressor.

The Veteran's schizophrenia was not incurred in service and is not related to service. The Board granted an earlier effective date for PTSD, assigned a 100% evaluation from October 10, 2000 to October 27, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, and any diagnosed condition is not related to service or a service-connected disorder.

The Board has granted increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, with a rating of 30 percent for each. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied reopening of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted based on new evidence showing a continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The Veteran's current diagnosis of depression is not related to his military service, and a psychosis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 30, 2002, for the grant of service connection of paranoid schizophrenia was denied as there is no legal basis for such a request given that his initial denial became final in 1984 and he only reopened the claim in 2002.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as a result of military service and therefore denies his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The issues are considered to be in a 'unknown' status as they do not pertain directly to service connection.